Owen Hargreaves set to make Manchester United return

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is expected to make his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines against West Brom this Saturday.

Hargreaves missed 113 games in 20 months following a series of knee injuries. The former Bayern Munich midfielder made a brief return in May with a 93rd minute appearance in United’s penultimate game of the season against Sunderland.

The 29-year-old missed out on a spot in Fabio Capello’s England squad for the World Cup and a further injury prevented him from partaking in pre-season training as the Canadian-born England international instead returned to the United States for further treatment.

However, Hargreaves’ surgeon today revealed he expects United’s £17million signing to feature against The Baggies this weekend. Dr Richard Steadman told BBC that he “should play some part on Saturday”.

“Our physical therapist, Luke O’Brien, has been working very closely with United’s coaches on his rehab.

“It’s been a long road back and there have been some setbacks along the way.

Steadman added: “But I’ve got a lot of admiration for the way Owen has responded – he’s worked very hard and has never given up. Things are looking good for him now.”

Hargreaves has made just 27 league starts since arriving at Old Trafford in 2007 and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to omit the midfielder from his 25-man Champions League squad this season, restricting Hargreaves to domestic club football until next year.