Hargreaves excited by return

Man Utd ace says he will pass out when he makes comeback

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 11th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hargreaves excited by return

Hargreaves: Nearing comeback

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Owen Hargreaves concedes that he will be so excited when he eventually returns for Manchester United that he will probably pass out.

The midfielder has been sidelined for close to 14-months after undergoing surgery on both knees to try and cure an ongoing tendinitis problem.

Renowned knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman operated on the England international in America and described the state of Hargreaves' knees as some of the worst he has ever seen.

The 28-year-old returned to training last month but suffered a slight calf strain last week. However the former Bayern Munich star has been pencilled in for the final two UEFA Champions League games at the end of November.

"It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I'll be so excited I'll probably pass out," he told the Daily Mirror.

"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."

Invincible

Hargreaves admits that the last year has been difficult but is relieved to finally have the problem cleared up after suffering with the injury ever since his Bayern days.

"The last year has been difficult. As an athlete you think you are invincible," he added.

"You don't think something of this magnitude and seriousness will happen. I obviously had the problem when I came to Manchester United from Germany in 2007 and we tried to manage it.

"Nothing really seemed to work, despite being available for the big games at the end of the first season.

"I came back for the next season a week early to try to sort the problem out but it just didn't work. My last game was Chelsea away last season and I probably shouldn't have played.

"I struggled to drive my car for three days after that match. I knew something was very wrong."

Having put the failed comebacks behind him Hargreaves is now hoping he can emulate United team-mate Ryan Giggs and continue playing well into his mid-30s.

"The diagnosis was done to ensure I can come back to play for years to come. I'm 28 now and I'd like to play until I'm 34, or like Giggsy, who looks like he will still be going when he is 38," he pointed out.

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