AUTHOR: – Doron
There was positive news delivered by Sir Alex Ferguson recently – Owen Hargreaves had returned from the specialist in Germany and was deemed fit to start training again. Two weeks on from that and the Daily Mail are reporting a fresh injury for our forgotten man.
Back in September we were able to report on the good news that Hargreaves was progressing well from his long-standing knee injury and that he had returned to training. Hargreaves was a surprise starter against Wolves in November but was subbed off after 6 minutes with a hamstring injury.
Only recently has he recovered from the injury to return to training, however the Daily Mail are reporting that he has suffered a fresh injury. It would be terrible luck for Hargreaves as this reported injury is unrelated to his long-standing knee problem and the more recent hamstring problem:
“The injury plagued England midfielder had put himself in contention for a return, only for his shoulder to pop out as he challenged for a header.
The 30-year-old had X-rays and initial fears are that he has ligament damage and could be out for at least four weeks.”
Quote taken from the Daily Mail
The positive news is that this injury is unrelated to previous problems and the early suggestion is four weeks out. Hargreaves has missed a lot of football since joining in 2007, playing only 39 times for the club. In his first year he played 34 times and was an important part of the Champions League winning side. This year however he has just the one appearance to his name.
His contract runs out this summer – would you offer him a new contract? There have been suggestions he may get a pay-as-you-play deal but can the club afford to give up a squad place to someone who may not even be fit? Only two months ago this blog took a look at Hargreaves as our ‘forgotten man’. Do you think this fresh set-back will be the end for Owen Hargreaves at Man United and/or as a professional football? Could he surprise everyone and play again for the club?
AUTHOR: – Doron
It seems Hargreaves run of bad luck just gets worse and worse. I hate to say it, as when he was fit he was great, but the time has come for united to find a replacement and not renew his contract. When we have to play 7 defenders due to lack of fit players in the middle things need to change. I’m sure he will get fit, join another club and have a few more years playing, but united need top players who are fit now and can’t continue to support the long term injured.
We had a similar player a while back, class when fit but very injury prone. Fergie backed the lad through his troubles and he helped us to the league in his last season as a player. At best Hargo could be fit by the end of the season then he can be assesse for the next campaign. Give the lad a chance.
Im done thinking about it. Sorry, its sad, but every time people talk about him coming back there is a new set back. He’s still relatively young, but its testing everyone’s patience, and we could be delving into the market for a new midfielder.
Such a shame for the bloke. In terms of what he has to offer he has everything we are lacking but where do you draw the line. He could recover and on a pay as you play deal he could be really useful but then look at Saha and he still has problems staying fit at Everton. Maybe it is time to move on as much as I rate him. Mark Jones you seriously can’t compare Hargreaves utd career with the living legend that is Robbo.