Hargreaves Steps Up Knee Recovery

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will return to England on 23 September to continue his rehabilitation from knee injuries.

The 28-year-old, who has not played for almost a year, has been recovering in United States after knee operations.

However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said he will adopt a cautious approach to get Hargreaves back to full fitness.

"We will take our time because the important thing is to get him playing to the right level," said Ferguson.

"We are in dialogue with him all the time and the physio who is doing his rehabilitation over in America will be coming with him for a week for the changeover.

"It means we can jointly understand all the treatments and rehabilitation he has been doing."

Hargreaves had surgery on his right knee last November and on his left knee in January, with the procedures carried out under the guidance of Dr Richard Steadman.

The leading surgeon has previously operated on former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, new United signing Michael Owen and ex-Red Devils forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now at Real Madrid.

Hargreaves, who has only started 25 times for his club since a £17m move from Bayern Munich in July 2007, had been expected to rejoin the United squad last month, but was forced to delay his comeback.

However, Ferguson is confident the England international will return in good shape as he continues his rehabilitation with the club.

"The difficult part will be to get him back into the football side," said the Scot.

"We are certain his fitness will be good and his endurance work will have been done.

"But you don't have a player who has been out for over a year and suddenly throw him back into the fire right away."

The Canadian-born midfielder last played for United in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 21 September 2008.
His condition, patellar tendinitis, can be described as inflammation of the tendon that attaches the quadriceps (thigh muscle) to the tibia (shin bone).