Confidence key to Hargreaves return

November 20, 2009

INJURY Owen Hargreaves

SIR Alex Ferguson believes restoring Owen Hargreaves' confidence could be the next stage in the United midfielder's comeback.

Hargreaves returned to England last month after a year out following major surgery on both knees to cure a tendinitis problem.

At the time, Ferguson suggested the former Bayern Munich man could be back in action by the beginning of November, something he pre-empted by naming him in his Champions League squad at the beginning of the tournament.

However, with the first of what are now effectively dead rubbers looming against Besiktas at Old Trafford on Wednesday and England coach Fabio Capello monitoring the player's progress, Ferguson has confirmed Hargreaves is yet to start proper footballing training.

Not rush it

Club officials insist there has been no setback, which if it were to be the case would raise serious doubts over the 28-year-old's future in the game.

But Ferguson believes Hargreaves is adopting a tentative approach having played with pain for so long and knowing the significance of his eventual return to action.

“Owen is training very well,” said the United boss. “It is more a confidence thing for the lad to come back into full training with us.

“He is doing quite good work with the physios and football-related training but he is not at a competitive level at the moment.

“He has been out for a year and two months, so we are of the opinion that he should take his time and not rush it. In that respect, he needs to get his confidence back.”

What do you think? Tell us your views.

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Steve in Gatley (now in Brisbane) (21/11/2009 at 03:23)

It is wise not to rush him back into the first team, but once he is back to his best it will be like signing a new player. I just hope he can regain his previous form, but somehow I am not very optomistic!!

Tae Sugii (21/11/2009 at 06:24)

Because I believed that he could be seen in the game by the end of this month, it is very regrettable. However, it is Hargreaves that understands the condition of the body best. I cannot easily hope for his return when I see the image of him whom it was not possible to stand in the game against last year's Chelsea for the pain and Drogba was supporting. However, when returning, he will leave an important message to a lot of young people who are standing at the crossroads of one's life in the failure now.

JTS62 (21/11/2009 at 09:32)

Doesn't sound too good does it? We need to be told now if he can't make it back. This can't drag on for much longer.

nory ida (21/11/2009 at 09:40)

we are waiting for you..

World-wide-United, Not-in-wasteland (21/11/2009 at 10:55)

PLEASE WE WANT INTERESTING NEWS,,,,TELL US ABOUT NEW SIGNINGS,,,,HIGH STYLE WORLD CLASS PLAYERS

danny, WILMSLOW (21/11/2009 at 11:26)

Perhaps if they make him captain that will help.However he can,t have given Rooney much confidence saying he is to young.
Thats the big problem with Alex he seems to judge everything by age instead of ability Capello had no worries about giving him the job,This will be Fergies last year then no matter what Scholes thinks will make no differnce.
Cleverley is just as good as Rodwell but will he be another sold to pay off our debt.
I wonder how a manager as great as WAlex could have let Pique slip through his fingers and also the scoucers to sign Torres.
Ronaldo is a big miss for us but we have some good news with Hargreaves and MAME.Norways top scorer who Alex has promised at least one game before the end of the season.

Bill of Bury, Lancashire (21/11/2009 at 14:05)

We all wish Owen a speedy and successful return to Premiership level football. We do need him!

Barry Lee, USA (21/11/2009 at 14:19)

He is done. Take the insurance pay out and buy a replacement sooner rather than later.

Is It Me? (21/11/2009 at 14:49)

I reckon that Bayern are owen us some money! Bit like buying a dodgy Porche,without getting it examined by the AA,then finding out the suspension is knackered. There are no spare parts available for the repair,so yo have to send it to a specialist welder in the States to put it right. Even his welding is not guaranteed! The moral? You should not buy a car,especially one costing 19 million.without having it fully checked! Mind you,it ran well in the Euro Final v Chelsea!

nodge, goa india (21/11/2009 at 16:01)

no need to rush things now and spoil the last twelve months work.on another note, shock horror, the headless chicken was warming the bench today, 26mil for a mufc sub, you couldn't make it up hughsie hughsie sign him up.

Lord De Las Moscas, Piggly Wiggly Farm (21/11/2009 at 18:43)

Well, let us not hold our breath and expect nothing. That way, whatever we get from Hargo this year will be a bonus. Do not expect him to start a game until March next year at the earliest. If he comes back stronger he will be one hell of an addition at a crucial time of our season and is capable of making ALL the difference once the biggest games come around and we are hopefully playing some Finals again.

Gilly, Belgium (22/11/2009 at 03:56)

I hope owen comes back and is able to cope with the rigors of pl football ç

dog hardy, manchester (22/11/2009 at 11:11)

Danny from Wilmslow,nearly all the ex pros say you don,t have forwards as Captains.They don,t read the game from the front have to be focused and sharp to take advantage of gaps left by dreaming defenders.If Rooney is the only one that can shout heads and tails and has the biggest gob then thats the basic for a Captain but listen to the experience people.Hargreaves,get the insurance money.Its amazing to me when people go on about him for the occasional match he played exceptionally nwell in, must cost in the region of £1m a game.United were once agsain mugs.He,ll be in the region of 30 if he gets full fitness again,best years behind him and don,t quote Giggs hes not been daft running needlessly all over the place

bobbydazzler (22/11/2009 at 13:49)

dog hardy

good captains who led from the front i can think of an amazing united captain who did just that.

ERIC

dog hardy, manchester (22/11/2009 at 20:29)

Bobbydazzler quite correct but if y read rebel who would be king youll see mostly he did far more to disharmonise teams and Fergie call it what y like[man management] was his only manager to let him have most of his own way.His ego was boosted by being a captain.Captains througout the history of the game have been midfielders who can dictate more easily as they should be in closer contact with all the players and not a forward who really should be isolated from the backs.As well mentioned by seasoned pros forwards shouldn,t be captains

Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (23/11/2009 at 09:15)

I guess that means he won't be taking part in the remaining Champions League group games. Tosic won't be best pleased - as he lost his place in the squad to Hargreaves.

Sam Davis (23/11/2009 at 19:21)

I would not get my hopes up with this one. Even basketball players in the US with reconstructive surgery come back and play before a year and 2 months.

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