Hargreaves Set To Make Return, Owen Out For Season

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is set to make his return from injury with a run out for the reserves on Thursday.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since September 2008, when he underwent revolutionary knee surgery.

But Hargreaves has resumed training with the first team and boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he could return against Manchester City's second string.

"He's shown for the first time he is almost ready to play," said Ferguson.

The England midfielder, 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.

Recent rumours suggested that Hargreaves was out for the remainder of the season but he could be on target to assist with United's title run-in, should he come through the reserves derby match at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground.

Ferguson added: "He has been training with the first team, which has been good to see and is pencilled in for a game with the reserves on Thursday."

United also look set to welcome back Italian Under-21 international Federico Macheda from injury.

It is a timely return, given that forward Michael Owen has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and Danny Welbeck has joined Championship side Preston North End on loan.

"Macheda starts training with the first team again next week which is also good news, particularly considering the loss of Michael," stated Ferguson.

"He is a good player to have back, so we have had some disappointments with some, and light at the end of the tunnel with other players."