OWEN Hargreaves is set to become United's VIP after being
earmarked for a Champions League comeback in early November.
The 28-year-old midfielder's return after 12 months out with knee
problems is a boost for Sir Alex Ferguson and could be a plus for
England coach Fabio Capello ahead of the World Cup in South
Africa.
Fergie included Hargreaves in his Euro 25 submitted to UEFA and
believes he will be ready to play in the matches against CSKA
Moscow at Old Trafford on November 3, the home game with Besiktas
on November 25 and the final Group match in Wolfsburg on December
8.
Hargreaves has been in the US doing rehab after two knee operations
last season and is due back at United's Carrington training HQ in a
fortnight.
The midfielder was chosen at the expense of Serbian international
Zoran Tosic and deciding on the names for his European squad ahead
of the opening to the Champions League campaign in Istanbul against
Besiktas next Tuesday proved a tough decision for Ferguson.
"We had difficulty what we should do about Owen Hargreaves whether
to put him in the 25," said the United manager.
"It was Owen or Zoran or Ritchie de Laet. It was a dilemma. But we
came down on the side of Hargreaves because having taken the
medical advice we think he will be available for the last three
Champions League games.
"In that respect it is the time when we would want to push him a
bit. He is also a versatile player who can perform in so many
positions.
"He could be a very important player for us at that time of the
season.
"It is disappointing for Zoran but there is nothing we can do about
it. There have been others left out."