Manchester United FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Hargreaves offered hope

05 Feb 2010 - 11:54:57

Click To Enlarge

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves could still return from his long-term injury lay-off before the end of the season, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson has dismissed reports that the 29-year-old England international's career could be over after his latest comeback from his near 18-month injury absence was delayed.

The United boss opted to leave Hargreaves out of his squad for the latter stages of the Champions League with the first leg of a last 16 tie against AC Milan looming large on the horizon.

Hargreaves has not played for United since September 2008 after he finally admitted defeat in a long-running battle with tendinitis and underwent surgery on both knees.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder has continually missed comeback dates, with his latest setback leading to suggestions that he may never return to top-level action.

However, Ferguson claims that Hargreaves could still figure towards the tail end of the season.

"Owen's recovery is slow," admitted Ferguson. "It is a year and a half now and I can't put a time on it.

"But he will be back. He could come back and make an impact on the league for us. Hopefully he does.

"There are more games in the league than there are in the European Cup and I don't need to register him for the league."

Speaking about his decision to omit Hargreaves from his final 25-man squad eligible to play in Europe, Ferguson added: "It would be nice to think we could get to the European Cup final and have Owen Hargreaves available.

"But we are not there. We have AC Milan in ten days' time and we need to win that game.

"If I was choosing Owen I would have had to leave another important player out because he will not be available for the AC Milan game. That important player might be the one I need.

"I had to choose and it was a hard decision. But it is the correct decision."