Ferguson happy for Hargreaves

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Owen Hargreaves to play an important role in the end of season run-in.

The midfielder made his eagerly-anticipated return in a Manchester United shirt on Thursday with a 45-minute run-out for the club's reserves.

After a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, he is yet to make the impact at Old Trafford he would have liked.

Hargreaves enjoyed a productive first season with the Red Devils, having signed from Bayern Munich in 2007, but was restricted to only three appearances last term.

He is, however, closing in on full fitness once more and Ferguson is delighted to have the 29-year-old back in contention.

Boost

"It's a boost to the boy," the United boss told Sky Sports News.

"When you are out for a year-and-a-half, it's a long way back. We experienced that with Gary Neville, with the difference being that Owen is younger than Gary.

"We expected the recovery to be quicker, but I think he will need a couple of games for the reserves and then he will be ready for the first team.

"We should have him for the end of the season. He is like a signing, bringing him into the group at this stage of the season."

Hargreaves will not be ready for Sunday's heavyweight showdown with Liverpool, but veteran winger Ryan Giggs is set to face the Reds after shaking off a broken arm.

Training

"He's training very well," said Ferguson.

"The cast is off and everything. We were talking about giving him a rest, when he was playing all the games, then he got injured. Now he's back nice and fresh and he will certainly be involved on Sunday."

United currently lead the way in the Premier League title race and Ferguson knows three points at the weekend would go a long way to seeing them to a fourth consecutive top-flight crown.

"I think the way to look at Sunday's game is as one on the road to winning the title," he said.

"I think we have a chance of wining the title, we have put ourselves in a good position. We have some hard games, like Sunday. The main aim is to win Sunday's game and remain on top of the league."