He's been physically fit for a few months. The point about his confidence being shot was made by SAF in a pre-match back then.
Not for that, he'd would have been playing pre-Christmas.
Owen Hargreaves | 2009/10 Performances
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He's been physically fit for a few months. The point about his confidence being shot was made by SAF in a pre-match back then.
Not for that, he'd would have been playing pre-Christmas.
Cliché time....
It will be signing a new player!!!
It will be signing a new player!!!
He is finished IMO.
If he cant play ship him out.
Harsh I know but he's no good if he cant play.
If he cant play ship him out.
Harsh I know but he's no good if he cant play.
fixed
What style would that be? Just run around with no positional sense and look seriously out of place in his so called "preferred" position? His "work rate" might come in handy against the bigger teams though but his style or lack there of is nothing to be admired. He was an average player before the injury, he'll come back an even worse one after it. Glad Fletch really kicked on in his absence.
If this season is going to be a transitional one, then I'd rather give Rafael as much playing time as possible than Hargreaves filling in at right back.
Seconded.
Ship him out? I can imagine teams are lining up with the offers for him...
It will be great to finally see him back, and hopefully Fergie plays him centre mid.
Ship him out? I can imagine teams are lining up with the offers for him...
It will be great to finally see him back, and hopefully Fergie plays him centre mid.
Yeah seconded, id love to see a bit no make that a lot more of the Hargreaves/Anderson combination that worked so well in the early stages of the 07/08 season and in the very biggest games to, they really worked well together and forged a very strong central midfield for us at the time......one things for sure we never heard anything about our midfield being 'weak' or the 'weakeast area of our team' back then did we.
When hes fit and playing well Hargreaves is a top quality centre midfielder and one weve missed.
Can we trust this to be true.
Hold on. Does this mean that the curly haired poodle is returning to us!?
I doubt he will be involved with the 1st team so soon.. I would think a sub app or 2 for the Reserves and possibly a start too.. Leading to a place on the bench for a game near the end of Feb..
It would be madness to have Hargreaves feature in a champions league game after nearly 2 years out. I hope this is just another one of Fergie's tactics to let the player know he has confidence in him and boosting his self esteem ahead of his return.
I honestly can't see Owen even come on a sub for such an important game when we have midfielders who have been doing a good job that are healthy and available. A quick look at the upcoming fixtures and the most likely we will see him is against West Ham at Home, or Wolves away (even that might be a stretch given they will be battling for survival).
Mid March I think is a more realistic date for his comeback. That too as a sub. I will be amazed if he makes more then 5-6 appearances this season.
I honestly can't see Owen even come on a sub for such an important game when we have midfielders who have been doing a good job that are healthy and available. A quick look at the upcoming fixtures and the most likely we will see him is against West Ham at Home, or Wolves away (even that might be a stretch given they will be battling for survival).
Mid March I think is a more realistic date for his comeback. That too as a sub. I will be amazed if he makes more then 5-6 appearances this season.
Has he played in the reserves yet?
He's gone from 1 day training and 2 off to 2 training and 1 off.
Hope yet.
Hope yet.
No.
Hargreaves will come back, he will do well, he's a strong lad mentally and physically and he has the backing of Sir Alex.
I don't get all this confidence bollocks. He's either match-fit or he's not match-fit. I've never heard of any other player having confidence issues when coming back into matches.
When Solskjaer returned, as soon as he got fit he was put right back into the squad.
I don't know what to believe with Hargreaves.
From what I infer, that's exactly his problem
Ole never had to tackle anyone for a living.
And as many injuries as Ole had, I don't think any were as bad as Hargreaves (i might be wrong on this, but from reports it was very likely at one stage that Hargo would never play again). Finally, every player is different. Ole always struck me as a confident player, confident in his own ability to score and someone who didn't buckle under pressure (maybe cause he knew everyone loved him). It seems Hargreaves handles the pressure differently and needs to be eased back into the mix more slowly.
I think it's different for strikers comming back from injury, because all they need to do is score a goal and everyone starts to talk about how they are back! Ole scored 8 minutes into his comeback in his final season, and everyone knew he was back doing what he did best.
Defenders too I think find it easier. They come in, help keep a clean sheet and people figure they are back. Defensive midfielders like Hargreveas will need to do more though. I doubt he will score on his return, and he was never the most creative or attacking player to watch. If he has a decent game the perception will probably focus on what he's lost, not the fact he's back after nearly 2 years out. If we don't see the passion and drive that he showed during his peak moments I bet most observers will write about how injuries have changed the player. Plus, midfield is a tough position to play in the premier league. The spotlight is very much on you. One lazy pass and you get punished. Show a bit of ring rust and you're putting the team in jepordy (just look at Anderson, Nani, Veron, etc ) all good players who have had their share of doubters.
So I don't blame Hargreaves for being cautious and well short of confidence. We've got some good players in our midfield at the moment and I doubt he will be able to slot back in this season anyway. I think SAF doing right by the player and easing him in and also using the media to let Hargreaves know that he still has faith in him.
I personally have reservations of just what type of player we will get back and won't be let down if he has zero impact on our season this year. We have to be realistic with what he can offer the team and hope he can get himself fit and show us his best next season.
Defenders too I think find it easier. They come in, help keep a clean sheet and people figure they are back. Defensive midfielders like Hargreveas will need to do more though. I doubt he will score on his return, and he was never the most creative or attacking player to watch. If he has a decent game the perception will probably focus on what he's lost, not the fact he's back after nearly 2 years out. If we don't see the passion and drive that he showed during his peak moments I bet most observers will write about how injuries have changed the player. Plus, midfield is a tough position to play in the premier league. The spotlight is very much on you. One lazy pass and you get punished. Show a bit of ring rust and you're putting the team in jepordy (just look at Anderson, Nani, Veron, etc ) all good players who have had their share of doubters.
So I don't blame Hargreaves for being cautious and well short of confidence. We've got some good players in our midfield at the moment and I doubt he will be able to slot back in this season anyway. I think SAF doing right by the player and easing him in and also using the media to let Hargreaves know that he still has faith in him.
I personally have reservations of just what type of player we will get back and won't be let down if he has zero impact on our season this year. We have to be realistic with what he can offer the team and hope he can get himself fit and show us his best next season.
I'm relatively sure that there was a point in maybe 2004, 2005 when it was reported that Ole would never play again. I remember his injury being just as bad as Hargreaves as well. But he willingness to return was admirable and became a vital member of the squad in the 2006 campaign.
If it is a confidence issue, and his head is not mentally right to play again, then there must be some underlying thing thats in the back of his mind. I don't know alot about tendonitis but i hear its one of those things that can flare up and take you out at any given time. Rafael Nadal had the same injury and his season's gone a bit wayward since as well.
I want Hargreaves to come back. He would be a fantastic addition to the squad if he came back and play the we he played against Roma. But the longer he's out for, and the different dates that are being set for his supposed "return" it makes me doubtful whether:
1. He'll come back the same player
2. He'll find it increasingly difficult to dislodge the likes of Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs
3. He'll be cautious when going into any 50/50 situation. When your playing as a DM or a RB, you have to get stuck in.
All hoping for the best though. Hoping.
I have every confidence OH will come back OK - I doubt fergie would have offerred OH a new contract out of sentiment...... the guy seems very mentally tough and will have
followed a structured recovery, patiently....... will be great to have him back on board
at a crucial part of our season.
followed a structured recovery, patiently....... will be great to have him back on board
at a crucial part of our season.
Jesus, that's a pathetically narrow minded statement. Hargreaves has been out injured for nearly 2 years with problems in both knees that a specialist sports surgeon said were some on the worst he'd seen. A little bit of trepedation regarding playing is unstandable. Add to that the fact that Hargreaves well knows that if there is any re-occurance of the injuries once he resumes playing then his career is over.
Give the lad a break. Over-coming the mental obstacle to playing is probable the toughest part.
With strikers, the first thing that goes is their pace, the last thing to go is the finishing, movement and ability to find players. Ole lost pace after his injuries, but his finishing and ability to get into goal scoring positions was always there. That's why even after a long layoff he always looked odds on to score if he got into a good position. Injuries rob you of a lot of natural ability, but if your game is based on intelligence and clinical finishing then you're probably going to be ok.
This is also why I think Ruud was able to come back and will still score goals for Hamburg. His pace is gone, but the mans natural goalscoring instinct and ability to slot away chances will remain with him till he decides to quit the game.
That's where penalty box predetors and natural goal scorers can add an extra few years to their careers. But defensive midfielders aren't so lucky. Hargreaves game while definitely involving skill and positioning is also about stamina, power, pace and tenacity. I'll be shocked if he still has the same pace. It will probably take him the rest of the season to build up to the same type of stamina, and with regards to his power and tenacity, well some of that is a mental issue. A player coming back from serious injury might think twice about going into a full blooded tackle. If Hargreaves turns out to be that sort of player I wonder just how effective he will be.
Just look at Cech after his head injury...he looks a different sort of player. Sure he'll stil have games where he shows some of his old form, but the injury has changed him. It's made him less brave then he once was. The armor has been cracked and for some players once they get seriously hurt they begin to doubt if they are ever going to be the same again. I have a feeling Hargreaves comeback will test his character and metal makeup, and from what i've read there seem to be doubts in his mind if he's ready. I think the fact he wants to take it slow will most probably mean we will see the return of a very different sort of player. (hope i'm wrong, but that's just what my gut tells me).
This is also why I think Ruud was able to come back and will still score goals for Hamburg. His pace is gone, but the mans natural goalscoring instinct and ability to slot away chances will remain with him till he decides to quit the game.
That's where penalty box predetors and natural goal scorers can add an extra few years to their careers. But defensive midfielders aren't so lucky. Hargreaves game while definitely involving skill and positioning is also about stamina, power, pace and tenacity. I'll be shocked if he still has the same pace. It will probably take him the rest of the season to build up to the same type of stamina, and with regards to his power and tenacity, well some of that is a mental issue. A player coming back from serious injury might think twice about going into a full blooded tackle. If Hargreaves turns out to be that sort of player I wonder just how effective he will be.
Just look at Cech after his head injury...he looks a different sort of player. Sure he'll stil have games where he shows some of his old form, but the injury has changed him. It's made him less brave then he once was. The armor has been cracked and for some players once they get seriously hurt they begin to doubt if they are ever going to be the same again. I have a feeling Hargreaves comeback will test his character and metal makeup, and from what i've read there seem to be doubts in his mind if he's ready. I think the fact he wants to take it slow will most probably mean we will see the return of a very different sort of player. (hope i'm wrong, but that's just what my gut tells me).
Would be a bit of a baptism of fire to play him against Ronaldinho away to AC Milan in his first game for 18 months 
Just because he makes the squad doesnt mean he is going to be thrown into the starting 11.
Most likely we are targeting the return leg, probably last 20 minutes for him to hear the applause of the fans and get his, no pun intended, legs underneath him. How he responds to a bit of game time will likely be a barometer for the rest of the season.
Most likely we are targeting the return leg, probably last 20 minutes for him to hear the applause of the fans and get his, no pun intended, legs underneath him. How he responds to a bit of game time will likely be a barometer for the rest of the season.
Sounds like bullshit. Why waste a place on the bench for such an important game. Maybe if we get a healthy first leg advantage he could come on at OT.
Surely he'll need to play reserve football first anyway.
Surely he'll need to play reserve football first anyway.
Saha? Remember SAF saying he was physically fit but not mentally fit to come back. Maybe that's why a change to Everton has seen him remain fit.
He won't be involved against Milan, definately not. The fact that he's been named in the CL squad is encouraging though, Fergie must see him being available at a later stage(if we get through). But...he was named in our CL squad for the group stage but he never even got a place on the bench.
Just have to wait and see but I doubt we'll see an impact from him this season. His goal should be being ready to go for pre-season.
Just have to wait and see but I doubt we'll see an impact from him this season. His goal should be being ready to go for pre-season.
He won't be match fit for Milan.It's impossible because that match will be too important, the substitutions will be key and I can't see Owen H playing.
Don't think thats been named yet though
Will be. Fergie was having a wankfest over the subject the other week.
Both knees crocked really badly, out for nearly 2 years, possibility of never being fit again?
And you expect him not to be at least a bit concerned that he could do them again and end his career permanently if the comeback is too quick? Idiots.
And you expect him not to be at least a bit concerned that he could do them again and end his career permanently if the comeback is too quick? Idiots.
Yes, but unlike what you have said, Hargreaves has not been named in the new CL squad yet. Fergie might just be encouraging him to make an effort and play a reserves game to prove his fitness.
In the end, including Hargreaves may mean leaving someone like Obertan out, and Fergie may make the call that Hargreaves is just not going to be match fit in time to be a factor and will leave him out in favour of someone who is fit.
Wait, you're talking about 20LEGEND Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the one that broke German hearts.
The only thing in common with Hargreaves is Bayern Munich.
And here I was thinking he might be involved against City reserves in the MSC tonight. Alas!
Absolute dog turd. Anyone who's ever had any sort of semi-serious injury will tell you that it takes you a while before you trust the injured part enough to put it in harm's way. I did my ankle ligaments once (not the worst of injuries by any stretch, but limiting my movement somewhat) and it took me quite a while before I was happy running on it, tackling again etc.
Spot on.
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