Hargreaves has been suffering with a tendonitis problem ever since joining Man United in 2007. In November 2008 renowned knee surgeon, Richard Steadman, days later he was having surgery on his right knee. In January 2009, Hargreaves was having a similar procedure done on his left knee, leaving Hargreaves out for the rest of the season.
Initially 29-year old Hargreaves was set to be included in the squad but it has been revealed today that young defender Ritchie De Laet has been drafted in to replace the midfielder.
It was only last September that Hargreaves sounded confident of a return but surely this will be seen as a huge setback. Not only does it put a big question mark on his Man United career but also his England career with the World Cup coming up.
Hargreaves had said: “It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I’ll be so excited I’ll probably pass out”
“I just want to be part of it again, to be available and healthy. I can’t wait to get involved.
“I want to be able to pull on the shirt and have an effect on games. I just want to compete in matches, work with the coaches to improve my game and become a better player.
“I want a good season to repay the faith shown in me by the United fans.”
On the 21st November 2009, Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson did say that the next stage of the recovery process for Hargreaves was ‘self belief’.
Sir Alex Ferguson had told the Manchester Evening News in November: “Owen is training very well. It is more of a confidence thing for the lad to come back into full training with us.”
“He is doing quite good work with the physios and football-related training but he is not a competitive level at the moment.”
“He has been out for a year and two months, so we are of the opinion that he should take his time and not rush it. In that respect, he needs to get his confidence back.”
Hargreaves is a highly rated midfielder, I am sure if he was fit Sir Alex would have included him and so would Fabio Capello for England. Lets just hope that he can make a full recovery; we don’t want to see him retiring.
I have a uber crush on Mr Hargreaves and really think he was and can be a great footballer.
Muchos sad for World Cup!
Wonder why SAF didn't get a replacement sooner. Someone has to answer for such a waste of money which could be used to buy a decent striker and a midfielder...