Ferguson relishing Hargreaves return

Sat, 12 Sep 14:46:43 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson is so confident of Owen Hargreaves making an impact this season that the injury-prone England midfielder has made the cut to be included in Manchester United's 25-man Champions League squad.

Hargreaves missed almost all of last season with a knee injury but his versatility has persuaded Ferguson to give the Canadian-born player the nod over Zoran Tosic and Ritchie De Laet.

Ferguson said: "The difficulty was around what we should do with Owen Hargreaves, whether or not to put him or Zoran in the squad. It was Owen or Zoran or Ritchie de Laet. It was a dilemma. But we came down on the side of Hargreaves because having taken the medical advice we think he will be available for the last three Champions League games."

He added: "He's a versatile player who can perform in so many positions, so he could be a very important player for us at that time of the season. That was the reason.

"It is disappointing for Zoran but there is nothing we can do about it. There have been others left out."

United play Tottenham in the evening Premier League kick-off on Saturday with Ferguson predicting Harry Redknapp's side could finally break the stranglehold of the 'Big Four'.

"They have a realistic chance of breaking into the top four," said Ferguson.

"They and Man City have had good starts and those two are ahead of the rest of them at the moment.

"Harry bought Wilson Palacios from Wigan and I thought that was a good signing to bring that steel into midfield. They have really started well and there's a good degree of experience in the squad."

 

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. However, it was not easy decision. Perhaps, experience­ which is on the side of Hargreaves gave him slight­ advantage. Too bad for Zoran since he did not get a­ chance.

    From bojanobradovic, on Sat 12 Sep 12:15PM

  2. I personally think that Manchester United should've­ signed Walcott instead of Valencia, he's amazing on­ the right and he's young

    From lukenods, on Sat 12 Sep 12:07PM

  3. why zoran not playing...i think he at the same level as­ valencia..give him the oppoturnity and he will develope­ to be a good player

    From harz1205, on Sat 12 Sep 11:15AM

  4. Hargreaves can play in many positions but he cant in­ the area we look weak in, being the right, Valencia is­ not cutting it, perhaps obertan will when is is fit,­ but i still think we should go out and buy aaron lennon

    From Skittles, on Sat 12 Sep 11:00AM

  5. It will be good to see Owen Hargreaves playing football­ again. He will have a big impact playing again for­ Manchester United. For Sir Alex it will be like signing­ a new player, he may well tip the balance in Manchester­ United's favour to be champions again.

    From Alan Hansen, on Sat 12 Sep 10:54AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account