Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he expects
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves to return from double
knee surgery in September.
The England star has not featured since the start of last
season following two operations to cure a tendinitis problem that
has plagued him since before his move from Bayern Munich two years
ago.
He was was ruled out of the current Far East tour as he
continues his rehabilitation, although it seems Hargreaves will
join up with his team-mates when they head to Munich for the Audi
Cup at the end of the month.
"I think we are looking at the end of September depending on how
he reacts," said Ferguson.
"We are happy with his rehabilitation so far and while he won't
be ready to play in Munich, he will be able to train."
Hargreaves will be joined in Germany by Nemanja Vidic and
Antonio Valencia, who have also missed the trip to Malaysia, South
Korea and China.
Vidic has not fully recovered from an ankle injury he picked up
on international duty with Serbia last month, while Valencia has
been unable to play enough part in United's early training sessions
because he needed to go back to Ecuador to gain a UK visa.
"It gets frustrating but that is the system and you have to
accept it," said Ferguson.
"His fitness levels weren't high enough for him to be considered
for the tour."
Ferguson also confirmed another new-boy, Gabriel Oberton, will miss the first three months
of the season with an injury which was already
known about when he signed from Bordeaux.
teamtalk
