Source: Daily_Mail
Owen Hargreaves finally makes his comeback for United reserves
Owen Hargreaves refused to rule out an appearance at this summer's World Cup after making his long-awaited comeback.[LNB] The Manchester United midfielder, who has not played for 18 months due to chronic knee trouble, made an uneventful 45-minute appearance for the club's reserves in a 2-0 win over Burnley at Altrincham.[LNB] Welcome run-out: Owen Hargreavesmakes his comeback for United's reserves[LNB] He said: 'I would love to have the opportunity to play for England again but I will have to see how I progress and just take it day by day.[LNB] 'I would love to help and if I'm there, I'm there. I'm fit. I've been training incredibly hard and done everything I possibly could.[LNB] 'I've seen the inside of a gym for about six hours every day and I've had enough of it. I'd like to get back to just doing football work - that would be fantastic.[LNB] 'I've trained with the first-team. I've had a few sessions. The plan was to get me a reserve game and I've done that.'[LNB] Hargreaves, who last played for England nearly two years ago, could not put a date on his first-team return but he insisted he still has unfinished business at Old Trafford after seeing his £18m move from Bayern Munich turn sour.[LNB] He added: 'I had a very successful time at Bayern Munich and won everything, but I wanted a change. I wanted a challenge and to play for Man United. I wanted to come here and win the Champions League.[LNB] Long way from Moscow: Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves makes his comeback at Moss Lane, Altrincham[LNB] 'We did that but I didn't really celebrate the win over Chelsea in Moscow. I was disappointed that I'd missed games. Although I had an impact, it wasn't as big as I would have wanted.[LNB] 'So for me it's very much unfinished business. I came back a week early in pre-season to see the specialist but it hasn't materialised the way I'd hoped.[LNB] 'I'm 29 but hopefully I have a lot of time left in football and those dreams can become reality.'[LNB] Hargreaves is still clearly angry about the treatment of his knee problems at Bayern, which he blames on rushing back too quickly from a broken leg.[LNB] Although Colorado surgeon Dr Richard Steadman is hopeful he has salvaged the player's career, 29-year-old Hargreaves is still counting the cost of being out of action for so long.[LNB] Enlarge Playing it safe: Owen Hargreaves did not over-exert himself in the teeming rain at Moss Lane[LNB] Asked if he was unhappy about the way his injuries had been handled in the past, he said: 'Yes absolutely. Not everybody's right and people make mistakes, that's part of life. Ideally they don't involve you. When they do, you aren't too happy about it.[LNB] 'In the end I missed two full seasons for Man United. I came here with high expectations for myself, and from the club's side of it, and the fans. To not to be able to play from 27 to 29 is incredibly disappointing.'[LNB] Playing in a deep midfield role, Hargreaves did not over-exert himself in the teeming rain at Moss Lane and was not involved in any tackles of note.[LNB] But he seemed to grow in confidence after delivering a searching long pass for striker Febian Brandy just before the half-hour mark, and began demanding the ball more.[LNB] He was replaced by Magnus Eikrem at half-time having completed his planned 45-minute appearance. [LNB] Darren Ferguson keen to turn loan of Manchester United's Matty James into permanent deal at PrestonWayne Rooney v Lionel Messi: Who is the perfect 10 - United's rampaging bull or 'the flea' from Barcelona?Don't mention the B word (Barcelona): Arsenal and Manchester United await Champions League drawMANCHESTER UNITED FC
