Oh Owen HArgreaVES, YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.

Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM

News of progress has been steadily building over the past few weeks regarding the forgotten man who hasn't played a single game for the Reds since the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the season 2008/09, this week saw SAF comment on the current status of one of United's 1st team & much loved players.

United's gifted £17m signing, has came a long long way since that day saw him hobble away from the West side of London, probably sensing that his career might be over unless he underwent surgery, the Canadian born midfielder's knees were so bad he was quoted on MUTV as saying "I couldn't even drive my car after the game against Chelsea"

After his surgery & rehab as well as guidance guidance from Dr Richard Steadman (pictured left), an expert in knee injury matters, Stedman on opening up the problematic knees had said that "this case was the worse he had seen".

However a year plus later, Hargreaves is on the mend & now training with his team mates but not taking up "full on" competitive training as of yet.

A good point to note is that United's club doctors have reported that there has been "no setback", despite training on the injured knees which is fantastic news.

“Owen is training very well,” said SAF. “It is more a confidence thing for the lad to come back into full training with us.

“He is doing quite good work with the physios and football-related training but he is not at a competitive level at the moment.

“He has been out for a year and two months, so we are of the opinion that he should take his time and not rush it. In that respect, he needs to get his confidence back.”

Your Editor for one is looking forward to the return of the man with curly hair, the closest thing to a Robson, Keane, Ince type despite the quite brilliant Darren Fletcher.

With stick thin depth in the enforcer role, big big games recently have been lost in the midfield battle where only last year in one of our biggest game in the clubs illustrious history, FC Barcelona's Andrés Iniesta & Xavi made United's engine room look shockingly ordinary as they danced untouched around United's engine room, also the recent humblings to Liverpool without a battler again gave United major headaches especially when Darren Fletcher was sidelined and Mascherano & Brazilian Lucas, who many a scouser was claiming recently was "Utter Cr*P" to coin a phrase took Carrick & Scholes to the cleaners.

With Hargreaves's return could we also see a dramatic turn of form from Brazilian Anderson who imho, played his best football of his young Red career with a central partnership of Carrick, Hargreaves.

This triplet in midfield, bullied teams as Arsenal & Aston Villa both had four put past them, in the same season at Anfield Anderson even stood up to Gerrard & looked genuine after ratboy clashed with Anderson such was United's feisty & meaty midfield.

Whichever way SAF finally decides to include Hargreaves his name has already been mentioned with set piece responsibilities, (anyone remember his Moscow penalty, the best of the bunch) & his goals against Fulham & Arsenal from free kicks.

Whatever happens, we can only wish the best for the lad & a speedy & welcome return to action.

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