Hargreaves boost for United

11 September 2009 08:56
OWEN Hargreaves is set to become United's VIP after being earmarked for a Champions League comeback in early November. The 28-year-old midfielder's return after 12 months out with knee problems is a boost for Sir Alex Ferguson and could be a plus for England coach Fabio Capello ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. Fergie included Hargreaves in his Euro 25 submitted to UEFA and believes he will be ready to play in the matches against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on November 3, the home game with Besiktas on November 25 and the final Group match in Wolfsburg on December 8. Hargreaves has been in the US doing rehab after two knee operations last season and is due back at United's Carrington training HQ in a fortnight. The midfielder was chosen at the expense of Serbian international Zoran Tosic and deciding on the names for his European squad ahead of the opening to the Champions League campaign in Istanbul against Besiktas next Tuesday proved a tough decision for Ferguson. "We had difficulty what we should do about Owen Hargreaves whether to put him in the 25," said the United manager. "It was Owen or Zoran or Ritchie de Laet. It was a dilemma. But we came down on the side of Hargreaves because having taken the medical advice we think he will be available for the last three Champions League games. "In that respect it is the time when we would want to push him a bit. He is also a versatile player who can perform in so many positions. "He could be a very important player for us at that time of the season. "It is disappointing for Zoran but there is nothing we can do about it. There have been others left out." Would Hargreaves go straight back into United's first team? Have your say.

Source: Manchester_EveningNews