Hargreaves’ knees knackered

November 12, 2008

United and England’s Canadian-born star has been told that his season is over.

hargo Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will not play again this season after undergoing surgery on his right knee with a further operation to follow on the left.

The 27-year-old England international has not played since September because of the persistent tendinitis which has restricted his opportunities at Old Trafford since his 2007 move from Bayern München. A United statement on Tuesday read: “Owen Hargreaves has had surgery on his right knee and it went well. He will be having surgery on his left knee in a couple of weeks’ time. He will be out for the rest of the season.”

The midfielder will also undergo surgery on his other knee in a few weeks’ time under the guidance of knee specialist Richard Steadman in Colorado.

“The reason for us sending him out to America was because Richard is a first-class specialist who deals with these sorts of injuries, and Owen’s own preference was to be in Colorado.

“Unfortunately he is out for the season, but we hope this will now be put to bed and we’ll get him back as a fit player for the start of next season.” Manager Ferguson said.

Steadman has had many successes in football, notably with Ruud van Nistelrooy before he moved to England, and Martin Laursen after his move from AC Milan to Villa. A few other notable client’s of the famous knee consultant and surgeon at the Steadman-Hawkins clinic are Roy Keane, Henrik Larsson, Lothar Matthäus, Michael Owen, Alessandro Del Piero, Ronaldo, and Alan Shearer.

Hargreaves has endured a frustrating time at Man Utd since arriving last summer. He missed the start of the 2007/08 campaign but he played a prominent role in United’s Double charge after Christmas. However, the 27-year-old’s tendonitis flared up again in pre-season and he has made only three appearances this term.

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