Football News

Hargreaves closes in on return

Hargreaves closes in on return


Owen Hargreaves is edging ever closer to a return to the Manchester United first team. The midfielder hasn't started a Premier League game for two years after suffering chronic tendinitis in both his knees but has returned to training with his team-mates. After another trip to see American surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, there finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Owen Hargreaves has come back training, he trained with the first team, and he looked very good. I was surprised how good he was looking. It's an extra string to our bow."



Hargreaves made a return last season after coming on against Sunderland in May, but it was short lived and the midfielder suffered a relapse. Surgeon Steadman has a reputation for being something of a knee guru and has worked on some of the biggest names in football. Steadman confirmed his patient was very close to return after spending months and months at the surgeon's practice in Colorado.



After making fewer than 30 appearances in his three years at Old Trafford, Hargreaves will be desperate to focus on getting back into the team and playing some regular football. The former Bayern Munich midfielder will be like a new signing for United and might give the team the boost needed to overtake Chelsea. The midfield needs a ball winner in the centre of the park and while Carrick is good, he's not in the same league as Hargreaves.



The pressure to perform will be Hargreaves straight away, as he needs to convince his manager that he deserves a new contract with his current deal expiring in the summer. After missing so much action over the past couple of season, Hargreaves will just be focusing on getting some games under his belt. If he can rediscover the form he showed before his injury, then both United and England will have a quality player back in their ranks.





Manager Sam Allyardyce looks to have a solid side and he may even look to sneak into Europe.