Owen Hargreaves closes in on return
Manchester United’s injury plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves is close to fitness according to knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman. The 29 year old has hardly featured for Manchester United since his £17 million move from Bayern Munich in July 2007. Hargreaves
signed a four year contract and has been sorely missed for the Red Devils who are in need of a holding central midfield player.
The injury problem related to a tendon attached to the patella on each of Hargreaves knees. The injury was very serious and the Manchester United fans and players will be keen to see the midfielder back in action. They may have to wait some time as Hargreaves
tries to return to match fitness. He will also have the task of fighting for a central midfield position with the likes of Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher.
Steadman told the BBC that “After the surgery the key was rest and working hard on recovery. Owen has spent a lot of time with us here in Colorado and he just has such a great work ethic.”
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson included the midfielder in his twenty five man Premier League squad but he was omitted from the players selected to play in the Champions League. There was much speculation as to whether Hargreaves would be able to
come back from a career threatening injury. The Manchester United player hasn’t played competitive football since September 2008, but Steadman believes that the player is ready to play again. “He’s close to playing fitness although it’s obviously up to United
to decide when he plays a match.”
Hargreaves will most likely play for Manchester United in the reserve team to see if there is any reaction to his knees, but it is expected that the England international will not suffer any further setbacks as he fights to reclaim a first team place.
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