[Dirtycheat]

Originally Posted by Skysports

Hargreaves admits he may be injured for years

Owen Hargreaves last night revealed that his career continues to be blighted by a chronic knee injury.

The 27-year-old England midfielder has endured a stop-start debut season at Manchester United after arriving from Bayern Munich with a tendon injury.

Although Hargreaves has officially been "fit" since Christmas, he admitted the problem has still not cleared up. "It's something the doctors say I have to manage because when you get this problem it stays with you," said Hargreaves.

"It's the patella tendon and it's different to most injuries.

"If you break something, that's easy. The bone or the ligament will heal.

"But the tendon is more complicated. It has to burn itself out.

"Sometimes it takes a few months, sometimes a few years.

"There aren't a lot of answers."

Hargreaves — an £18m signing — made only his 18th United start on Wednesday and will be left sweating over his own place for the semi-final against Barcelona.

He added: "I'd like to play every game but it's not possible and you have to say 'Hats off' to the lads who have been in the team ahead of me."

Injury-plagued Gary Neville, who returned on Wednesday, can't wait for the Barca tie, saying: "We played two games against them in '99 and both were 3-3 and that's the type of game you'll get. I don't think defending will be a priority.

"We've matured a lot since two years ago and even last year we weren't quite ready.

"But this year there is a determination within the players to go all the way."

well, hargo's injury problems at munich were no real secret. He spent most of their last season out injured and missed bits of previous seasons too. I think his last season's injury with bayern was down to a leg break.

We all know from his displays for england that he can be a great player and we saw some great performances from him recently too.

However, do you think 18 million is a fair price for someone with a chronic knee injury?

[Torque]

Well, even if he didn't have this injury, he still wouldn't have played every match, or more matches than he has played this season, as we have a lot of midfielders.

I think we payed 18 mil simply because SAF wanted him desperately. I couldn't say how much is he worth, and I don't think any of us could.

[Anderson]

hes good cover for right back aswell but 18mill is quite cheap for an english player.... id rather hargreaves for 18m than bent for 16m

[simpsom]

ya its not, worth it or not worth it,its about risk..but if you still want to say it...see his performance when match with roma in old traford and you will say definately yes it is a fair price
SAF got his own reason everytime he buy a player,so you see he always on the bench(just my guess)

[lost883]

Hargreaves is looking better and better. Lets not forget that Scholes is back and Anderson and Carrick are playing well.

Even if Hargreaves only plays half the games each season he's worth the money as he covers more ground than any player i've seen. If he learns to read the game better like Keano could then he would be outstanding.

Also he can hit a good free kick