Manchester United have dismissed speculation
midfielder Owen Hargreaves has suffered a setback in his recovery
from operations to both knees.
It was suggested Hargreaves was flying to Germany for
specialist treatment in Munich and his career was once again in
jeopardy.
However, the reports have come as news to Sir Alex Ferguson, who
has privately confirmed the player is still in the United States
continuing his rehabilitation programme.
Ferguson himself has brought an element of uncertainty to
Hargreaves' situation by claiming last month the England
international could be back by September.
At the time of Ferguson's statement, which came at the start of
United's pre-season tour in Malaysia, it was taken that by "back"
the Scot meant a return to action, a feeling strengthened by claims
that Hargreaves would join his team-mates in Munich after they had
returned from the Far East.
Yet it now transpires Hargreaves
will only return to Carrington in September, after which he has to
be assessed before he can begin a training programme aimed at
getting him back on the pitch.
The 28-year-old has not played since last September, when he
began looking for a cure to the tendinitis problem he has suffered
from since before his £18million switch from Bayern.
Since then, Hargreaves has been working under the supervision of
renowned Colorado-based knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman, who is
more used to dealing with cruciate injuries but has made optimistic
noises about the midfielder's recovery programme.
teamtalk.