The United midfielder has only three chances left to avoid a calendar year's absence from the game following his double knee surgery.
Hargreaves has been back in football training, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson reported recently that the 28-year-old was yet to step up to competitive training with the seniors.
"It is more a confidence thing for the lad to come back into full training with us. He needs to get his confidence back," Sir Alex said 12 days ago.
Fergie had predicted a potential Champions League return for Hargreaves in the latter stages of Group B but he didn't appear against Besiktas last week.
It appears unlikely the former Bayern Munich player will be thrust back into Euro action now next week in Germany against Wolfsburg in the final match of the section without any reserve action under his belt.
Thursday's reserve match against Bolton Wanderers at Altrincham has been cancelled so one opportunity has gone by.
Ole Solskjaer's second-string side only have two matches left before New Year in which Hargreaves could get some minutes.
They play Bolton in the Manchester Senior Cup at Leyland on December 14 and three days later in the same competition face Stockport at home at Ashton United's Hurst Cross ground.
Hargreaves' problem now is going to be whether the reserve schedule will be decimated by the weather.
With no under-soil heating at reserve venues and winter ready the December fixtures are at serious risk.
Twelve months ago Hargreaves underwent one operation in Colorado to attempt to cure the tendonitis in his right knee that has dogged his Old Trafford career since signing from Bayern in the summer of 2007 for £18m.
He had more surgery on his left knee in the New Year before undergoing a rehab programme in the States.
He finally returned to United's Carrington training HQ in September.
What do you think? Have your say.
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I don't for one minute think that "confidence" is the reason he's not training with the 1st team squad. If he was fit and able he'd play with them irrelevant of his mental state.
If he's not going to play again then they should make the announcement and move on.
Check his insurance policy. I can't see him returning. If he does it will be great but its looking a little more remote each day. So long as his insurance is not with AIG we should be ok.
Hey Owen
We all look forward to your contribution again. Use your performance to shut up those pretend expert.
Good Luck
I have not given up hope yet. He was in the players box on Tuesday night. It would be good to see him back fit and ready to go. Pschologically he will be apprehensive which would explain the confidence quote from SAF. Once he gets that first full blooded tackle in he will come on in leaps and bounds.
FINISHED. Like khaled told you 12 months ago
I hope the lad comes back for his sake and uniteds as we have spent the best part of 100m on so so midfield players not one of them truly outstanding. add this to the continuing problem of signing duff goalkeepers( vds apart)
What is it with our staff? Its either the doctors/medical team giving the wrong diagnosis on players before we buy them (Hargreaves, Obertan)...our it is the scouts giving terrible decisions on letting a wonderkid like Adem Ljajic slip through our grasp? But then giving the thums up to spend millions on Manucho, Dong, Djemba x 2, Bellion, Taibi to name a few!!!
FFS sort it out!!!
If Hargreaves is not going to make a recovery this season, then just bloody well admit it, rather than the prediction of he will play in November, then when he doesnt, its apparantly down to his lack of confidence!!! What a joke, wise up take responsibility and tell us the fecking truth!!!
Come on Owen
get fit mate the team needs you !
What a waste of wages and dressing room space.
bobbyd, Hargreaves aside, I'd say we have had pretty good value for the money spent in terms of silverware delivered. Exceptional in fact.
I think that he carefully corresponds to his body because he doesn't repeat a failure twice. A wonderful message from a great senior Paul Ince was thrown into media the other day. Return to the pitch while possible to be consented.
SAF was making not too kindly noises about him and his pain barrier before the op. The very same sounds are on the repeat. Its December now and being of the old school, he doesn't seem too patient when it comes to ow, ouch, ow, this little splinter hurts ever so much players.
Hargreaves better make it and give us 25 games in 2010. Like the player but then I also like salted butter tea, not that one gets too much of either.
Here's to hoping.
I agree with SAF that we're in no particular rush to get him back. What's the point when we're well staffed in midfield?
And the lack of confidence thesis is very plausible. Put yourself in his shoes. Two major op's is no joke. By joining in full football training with the others he's got to be fully into it. If not, it's not worth it. Hopefully he'll get through his first session soon, puts a few tackles in, make some meaningful body contacts and gives his knees a few twists and turns. He'll then be over that mental blocker and a reserve team appearance will soon follow, this month or the next.
agree with monkey tennis?This Guy joined with an injury and has never really been fit!!He probably should move on because the club doesnt like taking the blame by spending 17M on a Glass man
He WILL play again for us, it's not all black and white with this injury, his head does have a lot to do with it and SAF is now sorting that out. No time limit, but he will play soon. BELIEVE.