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Hargreaves to use Super Cup to get United career back on track
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves wants to use Friday's European Super Cup clash against Zenit St Petersburg to kick-start his season.
Hargreaves, 27, has been struggling with tendinitis and hasn't made a first team appearance for United since helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side win the Champions League in May.
But the England international is finally back in training and Ferguson expects him to play against Zenit in Monaco.
Hargreaves is desperate to get back in action after a injury-ravaged beginning to his spell at Old Trafford.
The former Bayern Munich star made only 21 starts last season and he knows he could fade from the picture if he doesn't make a positive impact soon.
"I've got a big season ahead with United and England, and I want to be fit," Hargreaves said.
"I've felt the injury on and off for 16 months. Sometimes more, sometimes less - it's something I've had to cope with.
"The staff and I have worked very hard so that I'm fit and when I play I don't miss out.
"They've done a really good job. I think we've got it under control.
"Hopefully I'll be back soon and fit for the remainder of the season. I'm improving every day."
While Hargreaves focuses on his fitness, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be motivated by the bitter memories of his last Super Cup appearance when he sends his team out for Friday's match against the UEFA Cup winners.
Ferguson has won the competition once before in 1991 when United defeated Red Star Belgrade, but he is still bitter about Lazio's post-match celebrations when the Italian club beat United in 1999.
The Scot has no intention of suffering a repeat in Monaco.
"I want to win. I remember the last time we went there I only played half a team because we had a Monday league game against Newcastle," Ferguson said.
"When I saw Lazio celebrating at the end, it was like they had won the World Cup. I was not too pleased. I thought: 'That will not happen again'.
"We'll view the Super Cup as a one-off and we want to win it but we are expecting a very tough game."
With that in mind, Ferguson has pledged to send out a strong team and England defender Gary Neville should feature after an ankle injury.
Ryan Giggs is back from a hamstring problem, while Nani is available after completing a three-match ban for his dismissal against West Ham last season.
Ferguson's desire for victory can't be questioned but he might be distracted by off-the-field activities as United try to sign Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the transfer window shuts on Monday.
United have made a 25 million pounds (31 million euros) offer for the Bulgarian but Tottenham are holding out for 30 million pounds (37 million euros).
If the deal doesn't go through Ferguson insists he will still be happy with his squad.
"If a new signing happens it happens. The squad we had last season is good enough," he said.
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