Source: Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson's World Cup hope for England midfielder Owen Hargreaves
Hargreaves has not featured for United since September 2008 and has managed just 25 starts in almost three years after his £17million move to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich. [LNB]He has endured two knee operations since and, despite Ferguson previously insisting he was hopeful the England international would be fit to face AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League, the United manager this week omitted the player from his updated squad for the competition. [LNB] Related Articles'Capello needs nation's support'John Terry hit by fresh rowWeak World Cup demand prompts hotel saleIs Capello man to say 'enough'?Defoe a bright spot for CapelloSport on televisionThe Scot, though, insists that should not cast into doubt the likelihood of Hargreaves returning this season or earning himself a place in the England squad for South Africa. 'The recovery is slow,' he said, 'but I am confident he will be back. He will be back in the league and make an impact for us. [LNB]'It is hard for him, of course, it is bound to be. The physios are doing their best with him. There are times we feel he is almost there, and then he seems to be slow again. If he gets back and starts playing, the confidence would come back. [LNB]'If the World Cup acts as a carrot for him, I would be delighted by that. [LNB]'The biggest incentive should be to get back into our team, but if at the end of it is the World Cup, I would be happy. I think he would be an important player for England too.'[LNB]Despite his headache over the fitness of Hargreaves — as well as Rio Ferdinand, whose appeal against the fourth game of his ban for elbowing Craig Fagan will be heard next Friday — Ferguson remains blissfully calm as his side embark upon the phase of the season in which he expects them to 'grasp the nettle'. [LNB]So calm, in fact, that rather than anxiously watch Chelsea, United's principal rivals for the Premier League title, in action at Hull on Tuesday night, he took in the game at Preston who were playing Barnsley where his son, Darren, has recently taken over as manager. [LNB]'You know, I did not realise Chelsea were playing on Tuesday,' he said. 'I thought they were playing on Wednesday. I was at a game and left with five minutes to go, and on the radio it said it was still one each at Hull. I thought it was the next day, so it came as a wee surprise for me.' [LNB]
