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+--- Thread: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns (/Thread-Hargreaves-Faces-Career-Concerns)
Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - WatchMUFC - 03-06-2009
Owen Hargreaves may be forced to quit top-level football in the next two years if his chronic knee problem persists, ManUtdPeople understands.
The Manchester United and England midfielder has had two operations to cure a tendinitis problem in both knees but the pain has yet to subside.
It is believed the 28-year-old has not yet planned a return date but is still confident of making a full recovery.
He has had only 25 starts since a £17m move from Bayern Munich in July 2007.
Hargreaves, who was seen demonstrating his ball skills during United's warm-up for the Champions League final in Rome on 27 May, has not featured for Sir Alex Ferguson's side since their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 21 September 2008.
He underwent surgery on his right knee last November and then on his left knee in January.
The procedures were carried out under the guidance of leading American knee surgeon Richard Steadman, who has previously operated on former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, current Magpies forward Michael Owen and ex-Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now at Real Madrid.
Ferguson has previously said that he was "certain" Hargreaves would be fit for the beginning of the 2009-2010 campaign but it is now believed there is little chance of that happening.
Manchester United have declined to comment on Hargreaves' current level of fitness, but it is believed that his injury is so delicate it can only be monitored on a day-to-day basis and stepping up the intensity of his rehabilitation programme could have potentially disastrous ramifications.
If the England international suffers a recurrence of the original problem he would face another lengthy absence.
Hargreaves aims to manage the injury as slowly as necessary before making a return when he is pain free but he will not return if he is feeling any level of discomfort.
If Hargreaves is pain free he is likely to be able to play at the top level for at least four or five more years but, if not, a premature end is likely.
His condition, patellar tendinitis, can be described as inflammation of the tendon that attaches the quadriceps (thigh muscle) to the tibia (shin bone).
It can be caused by a number of factors, including a rapid increase in the frequency of training, sudden increase in the intensity of training, transition from one training method to another, genetic abnormalities of the knee joint and poor base strength of the quadriceps.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - chazza - 03-06-2009
Hope he pulls through, brilliant at keeping the ball and the signes have been there when he has played. Hope he recovers and can play on as we've missed him this year and he may have been the players we needed vs Barca.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - manutd004 - 04-06-2009
Hargreaves being out is certainly a blow. We've missed him and the Champions League final showed that. Hopefully it's not as bad as it's feared and he can come back. He'll be a massive asset to have and he's a fantastic footballer when fit.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - unitedman - 04-06-2009
Hopefully he can get back fit and playin again
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - red3636 - 06-07-2009
Great player?Missed him last season esp in Rome?He arrived from Bayern Munich stuggling with his knees?Hope he makes it back and to have him for two more seasons would be a big big plus for the team?Thought he was amazing at right back too?.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - trini - 06-07-2009
good ball winning midfielder..We missed that the last two seasons.
As a canadian,i wish he will be back soon.But this looks very unlikely until the end of this year and that looks doubtful also
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - AUSGAM3R - 16-07-2009
What's the latest on his injury, iv'e been reading that he maybe back earlier than october. Surely, he'll be ready for the coming season. He has been out for too long!!
We really needed him in the champions league and its fair to say that we were out classed in midfield.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - unitedman - 16-07-2009
he has had a unlucky career poor lad
sad to see as he is a great player on his day
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - roooneeey - 17-07-2009
Man Utd really missed that player during the final against barcelona.
(13-07-2009, 11:39 AM)alonsorocks Wrote:(04-06-2009, 04:54 PM)manutd004 Wrote: no worries, we hav much better midfielders
No I don't think we have a player capable of running at attacking opponents as he does...making little fouls and keeping the ball into play...not even Fletcher though I appreciate his work rate.
RE: Hargreaves Faces Career Concerns - andrewcmufc - 17-07-2009
sir alex has said this morning that hargreaves will fly out to munich at the end of the month with the rest of the squad and could be back playing by the end of september, which is great news