Hargreaves back to home truths

Stuart Mathieson

March 20, 2010

Owen Hargreaves has been told to concentrate on United for the next two months before thinking about the World Cup with England.

The £18m midfielder made a successful 45-minute comeback in the Reds' reserves on Thursday night after being out for 18 months.

The 29-year-old hasn't played for the Old Trafford seniors since a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September 2008 and has won just three England caps in Fabio Capello's early days as the national boss. He hasn't played an international since May 2008 against the USA.

Hargreaves said after his return against Burnley that he would love to be part of England's summer campaign.

He finally succumbed to the long-standing knee tendonitis problems and underwent operations on both joints.

After two lots of surgery in America he has faced a tortuously long rehab programme.

But now Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to select him soon for the first team squad but it comes with a warning about South Africa. The United boss was tetchy when asked about Hargreaves' prospects of making Capello's 23-man squad.

"We deserve some service out of him," he snapped.

"You talk about World Cups he has been out for a year and a half! There is nothing wrong with talking about it but he should be concentrating on playing for United and he will do that.

"His comeback is a big boost to the boy. I am delighted for him. He has been out of the game for 18 months, which is very difficult.

"We had experienced of this long interval without playing with Gary Neville. Gary proved that you can come back. Owen has the advantage of being a younger man.

"Hopefully now he is back for a continued period. He will need a couple of games more with the reserves. After that he should be back in the first team squad. It is a good one to get at this time of the season."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Gilly, Belgium (20/03/2010 at 13:59)

Come on Owen your team needs u !!

Red Euge (20/03/2010 at 14:07)

Even being linked with a WC call up after 18 months on the sidelines shows how highly OH is regarded. Unfortunately for England he's nowhere near ready. Concentrate on your club Owen, MU pay your wages after all

Bill Wirral (20/03/2010 at 14:56)

It never ceases to amaze me the talk about the two Owens of United going to the World Cup. It is all stemming from reporters who need a story no matter how ludricous it may be. Okay we know that Michael will not be going for a cert now but did anybody really think that he would? As for Hargo give me a break. 18 months he has been out so are you going to risk a midfield place for a player who has been out that long and will not have time to show he is fully over his horrendous injury by the time the suad is announced? I think not. Good as he is he will not be ready and it could quite conceivably knock him back if he did. I think in all fairness to him he is thinking of only the immediate future and secretly thinking of a good pre season and a much better one for him next season. Good luck to you Owen.

Red-Brit-in-It (20/03/2010 at 15:13)

Owen Hargreaves will be doing extraordinarily well if he manages to get up to the pace of the end-of-season Premiership. I'm sorry, but I'll believe it when I see it. if Owen H. getshimself to that stage for next season, it'll be like gaining a new top-quality player. England and the World Cup - well, if he makes it I'll be staggered.

Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester (20/03/2010 at 15:23)

I was at Altrincham to see his much heralded return the other evening. His 45 minutes' contribution were a bit tentative and it is obvious that we will need to see a lot more from him to consider him as a starter for United. It does seem a trifle optimistic to be then talking about England but I suspect that these sort of articles (emphasising his strengths) are part of SAF's mind games with Owen - to show him what the future has in store if he recover from his knee problems. Can he do so? We can only live in hope!

David Owen (20/03/2010 at 15:46)

When I read the initial story where Owen admitted his dream of going to South Africa, I immediately thought "Hold on, first things first, how about helping us to a 4th consecutive Premier League title!?"...and I knew a second story would be borne out of his comments....Then I got to thinking that this lad, with his confidence shot, and his ability to even return to the first team at all in question by many on this forum, is showing signs of returning strength and self belief...and that can only be good for United. All he is doing is dangling a carrot for himself to drive him on and become the player he once was...He's aiming high once more...nothing wrong with that, is there?

Just my two penneth'

Doc Savage (20/03/2010 at 15:52)

T&C,

I agree OH did come across as a wet fish in the interview with MUTV, but both Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargeaves seem comparably introverted to me, so I struggle to see him as a dominant character by nature. Much like Scholesy, to a lesser extent Giggs and Park. I agree OH will need to earn his stripes again, particularly as it seems the Wizard is now firmly focused on the collective after a period of indulging Ronaldo.

Rio and Rooney seem the influential characters in the team to me, if not the best dancers.

There is also a further interview with Hargreaves where he is explicit that the mis-treatment he received was at Bayern having broken his leg: his muscles had atrophied and he alledges they did not allow time for his body to recalibrate during recovery.

fowler, wythenshawe (20/03/2010 at 16:03)

united and the Owens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Micheal an Hargreaves.
they are as much of a disaster as the red knights and the pointless mission they have in taking the debt from big Mc Malc

jonny from orlando, orlando (20/03/2010 at 16:07)

He did not look a happy camper in his interview with MUTV after his game the other night, something still not right in his head ? or maybe his knees! I hope he makes it back, he is missed.

Shorty and the Other Fellers, Saskatoon (20/03/2010 at 16:20)

I caught part of the interview that Owen gave after his appearance with the reserves. What he said and his tone concerned me, as it did others, who posted elsewhere. I am concerned that Owen might be being pushed beyond what he thinks is safe for him. I hope he has some good and strong advisors who care about him as a person and not just as a player. He is a young man in a hugh and powerful system.

Another possible expaination is that he is discourage by a lack of improvement in his condition. He might know that he is able to play a few games but at the same time recognize that all the treatment and rest seems not have worked.

I do hope for his return but I would much rather no harm come to him that he has to live with for the rest of his life.

T.LESS, SALE (20/03/2010 at 16:24)

No 'true' United fan gives a flying stuff about 'Ingerland'. So Owen start knuckling down for the club that pays your wages.

Doc Savage (20/03/2010 at 16:30)

"so I struggle to see him as a dominant character by nature": him being Darren Fletcher.

jordy, Middleton (20/03/2010 at 17:41)

Fregie is right, Hargreaves needs to concentrate on United,don't run before you can walk.

blacksocks, stretfordend (20/03/2010 at 18:26)

I must admit I never thought he would reappear in a red shirt again and I was convinced Fergie also thought that .However I can not see Fergie taking a risk starting him in any of the remaining matches - only when any of those games are well and truly won is he likely to appear off the bench.As far as Ingerland is concerned - who are they ?

reddevil4ever, India (20/03/2010 at 18:45)

Perplexing comments here but someone has to tell Hargo the club has spent a lot and waited a long time to see him try to earn some of that money. On his day he is the world's best midfielder and right back not counting his incredible dead ball talent second to none. I am also an England fan but it is insignificant comapred to the job at hand namely the fourth straight title.

Brora boy, Highlands (21/03/2010 at 00:27)

Just how weak is the England squad? They talk about Becks,Neville, Hargreaves possibly being in the squad. Two players in their mid thirties (non starters for their club) and the other hasn't played for two years.FFS GIVE ME STRENGTH.They have about nine candidates for striker. Joe Cole can't get into the Chelsea first team yet some people are excited about his prospects for the England squad. The three stoogies are fighting it out for the first choice goalkeeper job. Bridge HAS TOLD THEM TO STUFF IT. World tosser of the year is starting CB. SWP, Barry are not in the best of form. Leighton Baines has finally made first team and should remain there but he is there by default. Rio's back could and probably will give out before the tournament and I am concerned that he will put country before club come the end of the season run in. Gerrard and Lampard cannot play together so the solution is to play Gerrard out of position on the left of mid field. Gerrard is a much stronger player, never misses penalties, has a great elbow. Pick him. Then there is Rooney. It is obvious to everybody that if he goes down, they are toast. WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE F****** WORLD CUP.

TIMOTHY BROWN (21/03/2010 at 01:16)

All of the above, but the lad needs our support as does our UNITED. MUFC FOREVER...

TIMOTHY BROWN (21/03/2010 at 01:24)

All of the above, but the lad needs needs our continued support as he tries to overcome his injuries. UNITED FOREVER!!!

red (21/03/2010 at 06:46)

test him against Torres. man marking. evans first half. hargreaves second 45.

stevi, france (21/03/2010 at 08:48)

I think SAF realises if OH performs for Man United it will put him into contention for England..

Khalad Mahmood, Silet, Bangladesh (21/03/2010 at 09:49)

It wasn't Owens fault, he got asked the question and he answered it. He's finished as a top level footballer anyway. His greatest assets were his speed round the pitch and his tenacity and strength in the tackle. At 29 after this injury, he will not be the same. 5% down from your best at this level iks a massive difference. He could have been a great, but not now. We need to be ruthless in the summer. Tough decisions. No sentiment. Cattermole in, Hargreaves out.

Truls, Aalesund-Norway (21/03/2010 at 09:58)

Step-by-step Owen, step-by-step. We desperately need you come next season, at the moment the team is winning and shouldn't be changed. Next season having Owen back will be like a new top signing and what a great midfield we would have with Fletcher, Owen and with Carrick/Scholes as the balance right behind them and with Park/Ribery and Valencia/Nani running all day long at the flanks...

Flirty Kitty, Salford (21/03/2010 at 10:19)

"No 'true' United fan gives a flying stuff about 'Ingerland'. So Owen start knuckling down for the club that pays your wages.
T.LESS, SALE"

I care very much about England and I am a true United fan. I'm a realist and think there is more chance of seeing pigs fly than seeing England lift the orld cup but I care nonetheless

Mrs Fullaway's lodger (21/03/2010 at 10:57)

David Owen,
20/03/2010 at 15:46

Are you also injury prone perhaps?

Jo Public (21/03/2010 at 11:51)

This whole "Owen needs to concentrate on United" flak stems from interviews done by journos outside of the United circle. Talk of his club form will only sell so many papers, get so many listens and views but bring in the World Cup and all of a sudden so many more are interested.
At no point has Owen talked about England of his own accord - he has always been manoeuvred into discussing his position regarding the squad - he always tries to concentrate on talking about himself and United. I think people need to lay off him as regards to saying he needs to remember who pays his wages. He knows damn well who pays his wages.
Anyway, *if* he has any chance of getting to SA (which we all know - including Owen - is very, very slim) he has to produce the goods for United before anything else. Capello's not interested in players who aren't playing regularly and well for their clubs.

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