Source: Daily_Mail
Hargreaves pulled out of reserves comeback to train with first team
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been handed a boost by manager Sir Alex Ferguson after he pulled him out of the reserves to train with the first team.[LNB]The 29-year-old was scheduled to continue his comeback from major knee surgery with another appearance for the second string against Burnley at Accrington.[LNB]He played his first game for 18 months in the reserves against the Clarets last week but will not be joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side for Thursday night's game.[LNB] Back in action: Hargreaves played for United's reserves against Burnley last week[LNB]'Owen won't play for the reserves tonight,' Ferguson told the club's official website.[LNB]'He's going to be training with the first team and we'll see where that takes him.[LNB]'We're keen to get him back involved because he's an experienced player and will be a valuable addition for us in the run-in, when having a strong, fit squad is vital.'[LNB]Hargreaves is only eligible for the Barclays Premier League as he was not registered for the Champions League knockout phase because of uncertainty over his recovery.[LNB]And the player himself has admitted there were times during his long fight for fitness that he wondered whether he would ever play again.[LNB]'It is only human to think that way,' he said.[LNB]'The longest injury before that was when I broke my leg at Bayern Munich and I was out for a couple of months.[LNB]'Football is a physical game and injuries are part of it. But I could never imagine having one that has impacted on me so much.[LNB] Glory night: Hargreaves in action for United during their European Cup final clash with Chelsea in 2008[LNB]'I thought - everyone thought - I would be fit for the start of the season. It didn't materialise.[LNB]'It has been a pretty humbling experience and I am sure many people doubted me, but anybody who knows me, knows that what I set my mind to, I get.'[LNB]Renowned Colorado-based surgeon Dr Richard Steadman told the midfielder hisknees were in a worse state than he had ever come across in 35 years of practising.[LNB]And, although Hargreaves has reported a vast improvement, he still experiences discomfort and there is a chance he will never be fully clear of the problem.[LNB]'I wouldn't say I am pain-free and I don't know if I can play through it,' he said.[LNB]'My training has improved over the last weeks and that is a very positive sign for me. I believe that it will continue to improve and progress.[LNB]'But I am still in the process of getting some injections to try to manage the pain because if I didn't have any I would have played at the beginning of the season.'[LNB] Worry over Rooney as knee injury makes him a doubt for trip to BoltonAnti-Glazer protest club FC United announce move to Newton HeathMANCHESTER UNITED FC
