Hargo still can play a vital part for Manchester United

The headlines have been choc-full with Owen Hargreaves experiencing yet another injury setback after Sir Alex Ferguson left him out of his Champions League squad, but I believe it was a precautionary move rather than a setback.

He has been participating in training and looks like he is enjoying his time back kicking the ball with the other lads.

Since joining from Bayern Munich in what was one of the most protracted transfer sagas in recent memory, Hargreaves has only shown glimpses of his actual ability and actually impressed more on the right of the pitch than in the middle.

But it is the centre of the pitch where he shown for Bayern Munich. He was somewhat wrongly branded as a defensive midfielder by fans in England who had not seen much of him, but he was more of a box-to-box midfielder, who also could hustle opponents tenaciously and break up any attacking move coming through the middle. Hargo would have complemented Manchester United’s midfield perfectly and he said as much in interviews, acknowledging that he felt he could add something to a blessed United squad.

Unfortunately, Bayern played hardball, refused to sell Hargreaves and he had the bad luck of breaking his leg. Having fought his way back from injury, Bayern realized he was not the player he once was and United moved to seal the deal, hoping to nurture him back to the midfield force he once was.

They probably tried to force it too much.

Hargreaves played 34 matches in his first season for United and many of which were under the influence of pain-killing injections and while Owen fought bravely, he probably did himself more damage than good.

However, he had an important part to play in the Champions League winning season, even starting the final in which he snuffed out much of the threat from the opposition and scored the best penalty of the night.

Just for his versatility alone, Fergie should keep faith with Owen Hargreaves. He has played with distinction as a right back and as winger and if he can come back from his current injury, he will play an important part in our history yet.

In addition, Fergie will be keen to see if Hargreaves can work his way back to the best form he displayed at Bayern – a feat which would see him become one of the finest central midfielders in England. A midfielder with energy, tenacity and skill, as well as score from dead-ball situations. These are qualities you don’t often find in a single player and he has proven he can do so at the highest level – totally unfazed by the occasion with an uncanny ability to perform under pressure.

At 29, he would still have 3 to 4 seasons of football in him and rather than sell, Sir Alex should take a gamble and keep the faith in Hargreaves, because if he can come back and rediscover his best form, he will be a vital part of Manchester United moving forward.