Ferguson explains Hargreaves' delayed Man Utd return

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will make a delayed comeback after injury in a reserve game next week, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Hargreaves has been out with a knee injury since September 2008 but was set to play in a reserve match on Thursday.

"Owen went to see a specialist on Thursday," said the United boss. "There is nothing wrong and the idea is for him to play in the next game."

But United held him back, saying it would disrupt his training schedule.

The 29-year-old's next chance to play is in the reserve team's match against Burnley at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground next Thursday, where he is expected to start.

The England international, who joined Manchester United in 2007 from Bayern Munich, has suffered long-term problems with tendinitis and played only three games for his club in 2008.

In a bid to solve the problem, he had knee surgery under the guidance of specialist Dr Richard Steadman in America and returned to United's Carrington training base 12 months later.

But his expected return to training within a couple of months did not materialise and his comeback has been continually delayed although United remain hopeful he could feature in the title run-in.

Ferguson added he is expecting veteran winger Ryan Giggs to make his return after a broken arm against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 21 March.

"Ryan will be fit for the Liverpool game," confirmed the Scot. "His performances in training have been fantastic.

"He's had a month's rest, and we will be getting a fresh player back, which is good."

From BBC