Article
Hargreaves back for United
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United's drive to retain the Premier League title will be bolstered by Owen Hargreaves returning to action this weekend, manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday.
The England midfielder, who has made only three appearances since his 18-million-pound summer move from Bayern Munich, has recovered from an injection he was given to deal with a bout of tendinitis in his right knee.
As a result, he will be in the squad that will face Middlesbrough on Saturday and -- with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick both sidelined -- looks set to partner Brazilian teenager Anderson in the centre of midfield.
"Owen is fit to start tomorrow," Ferguson said. "It's been frustrating for him, missing games is not what he came here for. He's come here for a big fee and he must be a bit disappointed with the way things have gone.
"But it is a long season and he is back now which is terrific news for us because it gives us a better chance of doing well."
Scholes hurt his knee in training on the eve of Wednesday's Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev and a scan to assess the problem has proved inconclusive.
After an uncertain start to his United career, Anderson has suddenly come good in his last two matches and Ferguson admitted he was delighted with the speed with which the 19-year-old has established himself.
"He is only 19 but he has settled well but he has shown fantastic qualities. Everyone has been very, very pleased with his performances in the last two games.
"The thing that's really impressed us has been his knowledge of the game. I noticed the other night he was instructing players around him which is a nice sign to see in a young player of 19 considering his English isn't perfect."
Ferguson also revealed that club captain Gary Neville and Carrick could both be fit for the crunch showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 3.
Neville has not played at all this season with calf and thigh problems, while Carrick is currently nursing a dislocated elbow sustained in the victory over Roma at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Ferguson said: "Neville has been doing a lot of training. He just needs a game which we are trying to arrange for him. He should be fit in seven days.
"Michael Carrick goes for a scan on Monday. If he gets the all-clear to start training, he will be available for Arsenal."
Louis Saha is again unlikely to figure against Boro but Patrice Evra should be involved despite pulling out of the Kiev win with a calf strain sustained in the warm-up.
Ferguson, meanwhile, has backed sacked Tottenham manager Martin Jol to make an early return to the game following the Dutchman's dismissal at White Hart Lane this week.
Jol was once interviewed by Ferguson for the assistant manager's position at Old Trafford and the United manager is convinced he has been treated harshly.
Ferguson added: "I don't know the ins and outs of it but I do know there has been a drip drip effect since the start of the season when there was talk that Spurs had met with the Seville manager.
"I don't know if that happened or not but there was so much talk about his future that you are almost relieved for him.
"And I say that knowing his qualities. He has great integrity and is a decent man and did well in Holland with hardly any resources. And that gives him a cv that will get him a job almost anywhere."
Comments (0)