Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that when long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves returns, he will have lots of self-belief. Hargreaves has suffered injury after injury ever since joining Man United in 2007.
Hargreaves' has had operations on both knees to try and cure a tendonitis problem and it finally looks like this time, it is sorted. Click to continue reading...

This evening Everton travel to Old Trafford to take on Premier League Champion's Man United. The Toffee's won their last game against West Ham 2-1 whilst Man United had a very disappointing 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
Both teams have injury problems but this game comes after a two-week International break. Click to continue reading...

Sir Alex Ferguson reckons the reason behind the delay in Owen Hargreaves' return is the player's lacking confidence after over a year without football.

"He is training very well," Ferguson said. "It is more of a confidence thing for the lad to come back into real full training with us.

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Following their defeat to Chelsea, I read a couple of articles writing off Manchester United's title hopes. This feels absurdly early to me, so ahead of this weekend's Premiership matches here are 4 reasons why I reckon Manchester United will be lifting the Premier League title in May 2010.

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Manchester United having already bucked the Premier League trend by raising ticket prices this season and selling Cristiano Ronaldo for more money than actually exists in the world are now taking somewhat odd cost-cutting measures, according to The Sun. In addition to logical reductions like trimming the staff at MUTV, the club are also apparently forbidding groundsmen at their training ground from taking any left-over bread for morning toast and the former players who act as hosts at Old Trafford can no longer take up seats to watch the game, nor can they eat the left-over food put out for guests, instead being given packed sandwiches.

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When Owen Hargreaves finally returns from injury, in what may be his last chance to achieve his prime, United manager Alex Ferguson can again field his strongest midfield.
But the Englishman, so influential in United's 2008 European double-winning season, is not the only significant addition required to create United's most balanced side. Click to continue reading...

It is Friday morning and Sir Alex Ferguson has finished his pre-match news conference. There is a bit of good news on the injury front ahead of the all important game between Man United and Chelsea this Sunday.
After missing the midweek 3-3 draw against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov are fit to play on Sunday. Click to continue reading...

Ever since joining Man United in 2007, Owen Hargreaves has been having a terrible time with injuries. Hargreaves finally joined United in 2007 after almost a year of speculation and negotiations between United and German side Bayern Munich.
The first season he was at United was successful; he helped United win the Champions League and the Premier League. Click to continue reading...

"Look at Nani - his free kick goes right into the wall, again!"
It's been all doom and gloom for Liverpool over the past few weeks - the losses keep mounting, as do the injuries - and the club finds itself in its most precarious state in years.
On the other hand, Chelsea are being touted as "Champions" before we've even hit December, and with over six months of football still to be played, it seems as if journalists, bloggers, and pundits alike are claiming that The Blues have what it takes to win it all. Click to continue reading...

Owen Hargreaves can't wait to come back.

"It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I'll be so excited I'll probably pass out," said Hargreaves. "I just want to be part of it again, to be available and healthy. I can't wait to get involved. I want to be able to pull on the shirt and have an effect on games.

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Owen Hargreaves seems quite keen on making his return to the United first team desperate, even, but in a good way so much that he thinks he'll probably pass out when he returns.

"It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I'll be so excited I'll probably pass out.

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So much for boho chic. Some of our most beloved boys have taken the dress-down to its extreme: they are now solely existing within the realm of what is being commonly (and offensively?) referred to in fashion circles as Hobo-Chic.

Case in point: the lovely Owen Hargreaves looks like he's going through some kind of major life crisis with a side of empty shaving can-itis; The always gorgeous Niko Kranjcar is one whisker away from us speed-dialing a team of stylists armed with tuxedos and hair gel.

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So much for boho chic. Some of our most beloved boys have taken the dress-down to its extreme: they are now solely existing within the realm of what is being commonly (and offensively?) referred to in fashion circles as Hobo-Chic.

Case in point: the lovely Owen Hargreaves looks like he's going through some kind of major life crisis with a side of empty shaving can-itis; The always gorgeous Niko Kranjcar is one whisker away from us speed-dialing a team of stylists armed with tuxedos and hair gel.

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Man United and Chelsea have been the top two teams in the Premier League over the past few seasons, tomorrow they go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is the on form team and they will be very dangerous, especially up front tomorrow. Man United on the other hand haven't been in the best of form and are looking shaky, especially at the back. Click to continue reading...

Now updated after the Ukraine and Belarus games (and some 'interesting' feedback) below is the squad we think Don Fabio should take to South Africa, with reason for inclusion - and exclusion...

Who should go... Goalkeepers

David James - Has been first choice for a while now, and we are yet to find a better alternative

Rob Green - He is the closest we have to a better alternative.

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After the effective, if not inspiring, performance of the second string in the Carling Cup earlier in the week, normal service resumes this weekend as United face Blackburn in the Premier League.

Rovers enjoyed a relatively safe passage into the quarter finals of that competition that none of the big guns tend to take very seriously the League Cup themselves on Tuesday night although Saturday should prove a much tougher hurdle for Sam Allardyce and his swine flu-hit charges to negotiate.

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A demoralized Manchester United team takes on a flu-struck  Blackburn side at Old Trafford on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping his side can recover from their disappointing 2-0 loss at the hands of rivals Liverpool last weekend. A convincing win over Barnsley midweek in the Carling Cup provided some encouragement for United's youngsters, but it should be back to business for the bulk of the United first team.

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Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers
English Premier League
Old Trafford
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Kick-off: 1730 GMT

Swine-flu and poor defending will be the talk of the day, as Manchester United take on Blackburn Rovers in a late kickoff on Saturday.

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Scott the red over at 'The Republik of Mancunia' has kindly taken the time to answer some questions about - amongst other things - where it all went wrong for United at Anfield yesterday.
Jaimie Kanwar: What went wrong for United at Anfield?
Scott the Red: The first problem was the team selection. Click to continue reading...

Jamie Kanwar from Liverpool Kop has interviewed me after yesterday's defeat.

Jaimie Kanwar: What went wrong for United at Anfield?

Scott the Red: The first problem was the team selection. With Darren Fletcher out injured we needed some grit and fight in the centre of midfield, with Anderson could have provided us with.

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There is mixed injury news for Man United ahead of the massive clash between United and Liverpool this Sunday at Anfield.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney may have taken part in training today but there is still a possibility that he could miss Sunday's game, a decision will be made tomorrow. Click to continue reading...

There is history, here. England's two greatest football clubs lining up on the hallowed turf of Anfield, some of the World's greatest players are there; two of the World's greatest managers are there; but this is worth more than simply names and people: this is about bragging rights, this is to prove which is actually England's Greatest Club.

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It pains me to have to agree with Rafa Benitez. But Mr Zonal Marking is probably right. Not about zonal marking. But on the notion that the top teams will be losing more often this season as the league becomes more open and clubs realize that it's not illegal to play two forwards against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.

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Ah, I get it now – he has an adamantium right foot. Figures.
Despite looking increasingly like a mutant cross between Wolverine and how I imagine Ryan Reynolds' grizzly older brother might look, Becks rolled back the years to put in a man-of-the-match stint for England against Belarus last night at Wembley. Click to continue reading...

1966 was a great year, or so I'm told by those of an age able to remember it.

It has been a long time since England lifted the highest honour in International football, too long in fact, and many have been brave enough to predict South Africa will be the location for the Three Lions to finally end the years of hurt for the England faithful.

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Fabio will be looking for a good performance to end a great World Cup qualifying campaign.

Watch England vs Belarus Live Online!

England manager Fabio Capello will start with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Peter Crouch for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Belarus at Wembley.

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Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves could be seen in action in four weeks after returning to England following surgery on both knees. He has been out of action for more than a year now and played his last competitive game for United against Chelsea 13 months ago. Since then he has undergone surgery on both knees and 10 months of intensive rehabilitation in Colorado under the guidance of Click to continue reading...

The long road back to fitness is nearly complete.

Portsmouth Vs Manchester United Tickets Still Available!

Owen Hargreaves insists he can return better than ever following his nightmare spell on the sidelines with knee problems.

The Manchester United midfielder last played for the Red Devils against Chelsea 13 months ago before tendinitis in both knees ended his season.

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Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all missed their penalties in the last World Cup quarter finals against Portugal. Owen Hargreaves was the only man to find the back of the net.

The game had finished 0-0 after extra time, with Wayne Rooney getting sent off for an incident involving Ricardo Carvalho.

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As long as you can walk, perhaps even with a limp, and have played football at the highest level, it seems a medical at Manchester United is a breeze.

Owen Hargreaves spoke in depth about his rehabilitation after surgery on both knees and gave an insight into how United's medical team assess the fitness of a player.

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Owen Hargreaves last played for United over a year ago in a 1 – 1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder came through the full ninety minutes but after examination by Dr Richard Steadman, it became apparent that Hargreaves would need surgery on both knees in order to cure the tendonitis problem that had plagued him for so long.

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Owen Hargreaves has returned to training following a long layout after operations to both his knees.

He is set to return to first team action in November and is already counting down the days.

"I can't wait to get back involved in it all," said Hargreaves. "I can't wait to play again for United, to be able to pull on the shirt and have an effect on games.

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All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award winning Dirty Tackle...

More footballers reviewing music. This time: Millwall on a song called "Oopsy Daisy". [Channelbee]

Will you be dumb enough to pay to watch England v Ukraine on the internet?

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England take on the Ukraine having already qualified for the World Cup with a 100% record. Read on for the squad we think Don Fabio should and shouldn't take, and why...

Who should go... Goalkeepers

David James - Has been first choice for a while now, and we are yet to find a better alternative

Rob Green - He is the closest we have to a better alternative

Paul Robinson - He is the best option for third choice considering Ben Foster is actually shit

Defenders

Ashley Cole - Utter prick, arguably one of the best left backs in the world though

John Terry - Captain spastic

Rio Ferdinand - A world class performer when he isn't being merked by injuries

Joleon Lescott - Ridiculously overpriced but solid and an option at left back

Matthew Upson - Shows the paucity of good resources should Terry/Rio get injured

Glen Johnson - Yes, has defensive frailties.

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Manchester United have today confirmed that Ritche De Laet will be a United player until at least 2012. The Belgian defender was offered a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future (not entirely sure in what capacity, but at least he'll be here). De Laet, now 20, was a surprise signing from Stoke, as he had never played for their first team.

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