Owen Hargreaves Injury Thread - Latest: Who Knows?

[ayrton-senna3]

Owen Hargreaves can't shag our wifes more!

Get well soon!

[sweet fa]

how the hell did utd buy a crock . hargreaves is a quality player but his knees were troublesome before he played a game for utd and it was a major major dissaster to have paid 18 million for him . it has to beat fergies ralph milne mistake at least he was fit enough to play just not good enough!

[CROoney]

hargo's being treated by the same doctor that saved RVN's and Janica Kostelic' career

[Richie]

Its a situation we're all hoping doesn't happen, but there is a chance that Owen Hargreaves will not recover from his knee problems. We're all positive about the chances, but the truth is many of the people who have similar problems & operations either never make it back or are never the same player again.

So suppose the situation happens, what do we do? Many of us on this forum, myself included, have often mentioned 'when Hargreaves comes back', saying he will make a great partnership with Carrick or that he will provide steel to our midfield. But there is a distinct possibility this will not happen. So then what?

Do we just leave the midfield as it is, and accept the loss. Do we spend money bringing in a new midfielder to provide what we are missing?

There are two ways it could go, it could be an opportunity for one of our younger players to cement their place in the team. For instance it could be the moment that turns Fletcher from squad player to long-term first teamer, and then promote other youngsters upwards to the 'squad player' roles.

Or alternatively, it could provide the opportunity to draft in a new midfielder to add to our team. If this was the outcome, my choice would probably be Gareth Barry, I think he could fit in very nicely into our midfield. Or maybe even Daniel de Rossi who is an excellent midfielder, but there is every chance he would cost a fortune and anyway it would be nice to, if we had to replace an Englishman, replace him with another Englishman.

Personally, I don't know what would be the best option. I pray that Hargreaves comes back and is the same player but realistically, you have to accept that there is a chance that he will not return as a Manchester United player.

[shiven]

It's true that when Hargreaves comes back he may never be the same player again..
Two knee operations is pretty serious and it can disrupt him again next season..

I can't see Hargo staying fit for us for much of next season and i'm worried that he may not make a big contribution to the team. When he's fit, he's a fantastic athlete and a brillant footballer. Unfortunatley we may never see him play regularly for us because of his injury problems..

I don't think Fletcher is good enough to play CM for us regularly next season, and I don't want us to go and blow money on another midfielder in the Summer unless we really need to.
I'm hoping Anderson starts showing his potential during pre season and plays a big part for us next season..

[Rooneys_Temper]

Buy someone else probably....

[Nachito Coronel]

If he doesn't come back is as simple as buying somebody else that can become that Iron curtain in front of the defense we desperately need.

[Jazz 16]

He WILL be back!

[manutd004]

I do feel we need to add a bit of steel to the midfield, and the only reason I haven't suggested signing anyone is because of Hargreaves. If he can come back 100% fit and tendonitis free and with a regular run of games he will be a fantastic "addition" to the squad. However, if he doesn't then we need to go into the market for someone.

[Cappy]

If he doesn't come back is as simple as buying somebody else that can become that Iron curtain in front of the defense we desperately need.

Has the defense needed help this season, and could there be that much more he could improve? I am not knocking Hargo by any means, just saying that the defense has carried us to the position we are in.

[Cappy]

I do feel we need to add a bit of steel to the midfield, and the only reason I haven't suggested signing anyone is because of Hargreaves. If he can come back 100% fit and tendonitis free and with a regular run of games he will be a fantastic "addition" to the squad. However, if he doesn't then we need to go into the market for someone.

To me, if we go to the market for someone else, we might as well sell Ando or Fletch, because we are basically giving up on one of them. I think one more season will tell about both Harg and Ando then maybe in the winter look to add, but can take care of it next summer.

[NoxiousD]

Has the defense needed help this season, and could there be that much more he could improve? I am not knocking Hargo by any means, just saying that the defense has carried us to the position we are in.

YES...

Hargo provides brilliant cover at right-back, somewhere we have struggled this season badly...

And in the middle of the park, there is no better... NONE

[RoxiiUtd]

He WILL be back!

+1 ..

[shiven]

If he doesn't come back is as simple as buying somebody else that can become that Iron curtain in front of the defense we desperately need.

What would be the point in spending more money on another CM..
Fergie is reluctant to spend money on Tevez, so he's not going to splash the money on another midfielder, is he?

Im hoping Anderson starts performing soon and makes that CM spot his..

[manutd004]

To me, if we go to the market for someone else, we might as well sell Ando or Fletch, because we are basically giving up on one of them. I think one more season will tell about both Harg and Ando then maybe in the winter look to add, but can take care of it next summer.

I absolutely agree with that. Like I said, I do feel we will need to go into the market if Hargreaves doesn't come back to a certain level. However, I wouldn't consider that until next summer at the earliest. He needs the time for us to judge the situation properly and not just go with a knee-jerk reaction.

And, it's the same for Anderson as well. We need to give him next season, possibly a bit longer as well to come to a decision about what we are going to do with him.

[RichardsReds]

we need him back

[christianoharleiro]

He'll be back.

But hypothetically who would you bring in to replace him if he doesn't recover? Especially if Anderson's development continues to struggle. Don't get me started on Fletcher. The only player I can think of - who we might be able to get - is De Rossi.

[akash_reds]

yeah...as jazz said he WILL be back..but when?
hopefully soon enough...
come on hargo!

[babysenorita]

The most important thing i hope, he is a player that will urge himself on. Unlike a certain saha whose injury really let him down big time to the extend it affected his confidence. Also, we have Alan Smith who struggle a bit after a long term injury?I am very sure he will suffer a dip in form somewhere when he return but its all up to us on how patient we can be. Judging by experience, we doesnt look like we love to wait do we? As long as Hargreaves doesnt have to go thru the same situation that Saha does, im sure he'll be back to what we know him as. There is nothing worst that what saha went thru so the worst is only if he did go the same way, then i expected him ending up just like saha sadly.

[reddwarf]

The United medical staff seemed confident that surgery would finally solve the problem so I'm hopeful that will be the case.

If it does turn out to be career ending then De Rossi would be a good option.

We may even go back in for Senna, although he's getting on a bit now and I don't think he was too happy with the way United dealt with his on/off deal.

There have been rumours linking us with Gattuso almost every summer for the last 5 years but that's dragged on so long I can't see it happening now.

Barry will probably move to Liverpool so I don't think he's a realistic target.