Hargreaves included in United squad

LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been included in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25-man Premier League squad despite his continuing injury woes. Hargreaves has made just one substitute appearance for United in the last two years as he struggles with knee tendonitis.

There is still no date set for the former Bayern Munich star to return from injury and it had been suggested the England international would not make the cut when Ferguson selected his mandatory squad.

But United confirmed that all of their senior players, including Hargreaves, have been registered to play in the domestic league.

Premier League rules now state that each club must submit a squad, with a maximum 25 players, containing eight home-grown players by September 1.

An additional unlimited number of players aged 21 or under on January 1 that year are also available for selection in addition to the 25-man squad.

“There had been some media debate as to whether Owen Hargreaves, still currently receiving treatment in the US for a tendonitis problem would make the final squad. But he has been included,” confirmed a statement on United’s website.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2010.