Scholes & Hargreaves - Time to Say Goodbye?

Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves. Six years and 631 Manchester United appearances separate the two midfield maestros, but to the extreme misfortune of the latter, that is not the only thing that is different. Aside from the obvious difference in appearance; Scholes's distinctive short ginger hair and scruffy appearance compared to the Canadian's sleek, curly locks and pulled up socks, Paul Scholes has not suffered persistent, possible career ending injuries to the extent that his midfield colleague Hargreaves has.

Both players have been key in the teams they have represented - Scholes with England and United and Hargreaves with England, Bayern Munich and, whenever possible, United too. Hargreaves's gritty, hard-working, disciplined and precise attitude that helps him run the midfield like an engine when in top form and free from injuries has been starting to run out of petrol and chug to a halt for a while now. Those injuries have taken their toll on the 30 year-old, and as soon as he has recovered from one, he picks up another. It is pure, unrivalled footballing bad luck.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that we will not see Hargreaves play for Manchester United again this season, and that, regrettably could mean that we will never see Hargreaves play for United again, as his contract expires at the end of this season. Referring to a possible contract extension, Sir Alex said, in an unusual indecisive manner; "I don't know what is going to happen."

Talks with David Gill have been held, but that is all they are - talks - nothing more. It is understandable that Ferguson is unsure over Hargreaves's future. The player himself, or probably even his doctor are unsure over his future. His body, his injuries are just so unpredictable that a new contract would be a big risk, and one that could end up devastating an already shattered Hargreaves.

Ferguson concluded, "We have to make a decision." Indicating, rather hopefully that Hargreaves has something to cling to. There may yet be some optimism, some light at the end of the injury ravaged tunnel, the tunnel that Hargreaves has so often walked down, or hobbled down to receive some treatment. Sir Alex knows, as we all do, that if Hargreaves were to be free from his injuries, he would be a Manchester United regular, and would be driving the team forward every week to success, much like he did in his double winning first season at Old Trafford.


Scholes has been far from injury free himself, suffering blurry vision in the 05/06 season which ruled him out for a while, as well as knee ligament damage late in 2007 which saw him miss a good few months. But Scholes's end is not coming about because of injuries, but rather age, the thing that one day affects us all. Ryan Giggs is apparently immune from this thing called "age", but Scholes is not so lucky, and in a recent rare interview, the 36 year-old reiterated the uncertainty surrounding his future; "I really don't know what I am going to do yet. I've got these games to think about now and I will decide from there."

United are already looking for a replacement, with rumours circulating everywhere about the future of United's midfield, as to whom, or what will replace the passing, inspirational expert that is Paul Scholes. His ability, much like Hargreaves, in the past has been severely underrated, but those who truly admire the beautiful side of football, the precision perfect cross-field passes, the delightful dinks over the defence, the astounding forward thinking vision and the tenacity of a little man in love with football, will understand how truly great Scholes has been.

It isn't everyday that a footballer is called the "greatest player of his generation" by none other than Zinedine Zidane.

Scholes's age has limited his starts this season, and unfortunately, it is something that we will have to begin to get used to if he decides to hang up those legendary boots that have graced countless football pitches all over the world representing Manchester United. Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley may be his last Manchester derby, but it is by far, one of the most important.

Hargreaves may not have a starring role, but Scholes sure as hell will, and who knows, when he walks out onto that Wembley pitch and is greeted by cheers of 80,000 football fans, he may be overwhelmed by the great occasion and sway his mind into staying at his club for just one more year. His future is in his hands, but whatever the decision, he will have the support of Manchester United fans and footballing fans everywhere.

"The interest from Manchester United in Sneijder is real." - But...

It is no secret that Manchester United need reinforcements in midfield. The frailty's have been for all to see this season, and it is credit to the winning mentality at the club that they are at the top of the Premier League table by five points without playing their best football.

 Paul Scholes is still yet to sign an extension on his contract with the club, and if he does decide to retire or move on at the end of the season, Sir Alex will urgently need to find a replacement. Likewise, Owen Hargreaves' injuries continue to pester him, and whether or not Ferguson decides to stick with him and attempt to get his moneys worth for the Canadian is yet to be seen.

Nevertheless, it is no surprise that Inter Milan have confirmed United's interest in Wesley Sneijder. Last summer, Sir Alex dismissed the fact that he had made a bid for the 26 year-old Dutchman. He said:

“I don’t know where those reports about Sneijder came from. How can anybody turn me down when I haven’t even made a bid?”

The interest however has now been confirmed by the Inter Milan President, Massimo Moratti who said this:

“The interest from Manchester United in Sneijder is real. But I didn’t look into it. My only interest is seeing Sneijder play here for many more years to come.”

Sneijder is the creative spark that the United midfield would love to have. In 21 games this season, the Dutchman has scored 3, created 5 and unleashed an ambitious 93 shots on goal. He is quick, strong and powerful with accurate shooting ability but apparently out of United's reach.

Hargreaves Injury Update - Not Good

I am still awaiting the day when an injury update on Owen Hargreaves can be classified as 'good news'. As it is, the Canadian born midfielder is once again on the all to familiar treatment table at United. This time it is his shoulder.

Apparently, he damaged his shoulder in training with United and will now be out for another month. He felt his shoulder pop out of its socket as he challenged for a header. The initial fears are that he has damaged ligaments and could be out for at least four weeks.

He has already missed the majority of the season with his persistent knee injuries and hamstring injury and received several operations to cure  the continuous trouble but now more misery is heaped onto the poor guy. I suppose the good news from this is that it isn't a recurrence of the knee injury or the hamstring injury he picked up earlier this season.

Hargreaves started against Wolves to the surprise of many back in November. It was all looking great until the sixth minute when he pulled up with a hamstring injury and was once again forced down the tunnel to receive treatment and the inevitable bad news.

At 30 years of age and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it would be a leap of faith for Sir Alex to keep him at United for another year considering his injuries. He would certainly be worth the risk if he were to overcome his injuries, but much like Michael Owen, whose contract also expires come the end of the season, it would be a big risk.

Will Hargreaves Follow Neville & van der sar Into Retirement?

Poor Owen Hargreaves. The Manchester United midfielder has constantly been plagued with terrible injuries to his knees, suffering from an extremely serious case of patellar tendinitis which was described by his surgeon, who has 35 years experience in his field as the worst case he had ever seen.

It takes an incredibly strong minded individual to keep going despite being bombarded with injuries which must frustrate the undoubtedly talented individual beyond belief. It would be fair to call the Canadian born England midfielder "injury prone", or perhaps just "unbelievably unlucky". The question is, how can he continue at the top level with all of these injuries - the latest one a torn hamstring, of which I gather, he is slowly recovering from.

Manchester United have already seen Gary Neville walk out of Old Trafford after an outstandingly successful long career wearing red, while Edwin van der sar has announced his retirement at the grand age of 40. Nobody likes to see a professional have to step down, whether it be because of their advancing age, or incessant injuries. But sometimes it is necessary.

Hargreaves joined United in 2007, hoping to help the Red Devils to unrivalled success with him playing a big part. The former became true, as it has consistently done over the years, and the latter was true for the first year. In United's 2007/08 season, Hargreaves clocked up a good 34 appearances in all competitions, playing his part in United's Premier League and Champions League success that year. However, a couple of seasons down the line, and the players' tally of appearances has only increased by 5 - and not many of them were where he played the full 90 minutes.

Hargreaves is now 30 years old, and the Manchester United team is starting to bring in younger players into the setup. His contract expires in the summer, so Hargreaves is currently in a race against time to prove to his manager that he deserves a contract renewal. But if there is one thing that Hargreaves knows from experience which shouldn't be rushed, it is injuries. It is sad to say, but it looks as if he is fighting a losing battle. When will we see him back for United at 100% fitness and battling away like the engine he is at the heart of the United midfield? I'm not so sure we will.

On Monday, Hargreaves was included in the club's 25-man Premier League squad, but he has not made the cut for the Champions League. It would be great to see him return, but whenever I see him on the pitch, I am constantly weary of his fragility, and frightened that in a flicker, he could be hobbling off of the pitch, down the tunnel and into that all too familiar treatment room. Despite his inclusion in the Premier League squad for the second half of the season, it seems unlikely that he will play a big part.

Hargreaves has had a successful career as a footballer. Seven years at Bayern Munich saw him win four German Bundesliga titles and the 2000/01 Champions League. His short happy period at United also saw him win a Premier League and yet another European trophy, but age and injury have taken its toll on poor Hargreaves, and he may be only one more injury away from hanging up his boots and giving up football for the sake of his body.

Marek Hamsik Move to Manchester United a "possibility"

Marek Hamsik has drawn attention from clubs around the world, including a few in the Premier League. Manchester United in particular are the club that are reportedly interested as Ferguson is trying to find a replacement for Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in his aging midfield. The Belgian midfielder Steven Defour has been heavily linked to Manchester United, and seems like an inevitable move in the future, but hints from Hamsik's representatives as well as himself have caused speculation as to where Hamsik will be playing next season.

His agent said:

“I don't like speaking about transfers, but I have heard there are many teams thinking of Hamsik.

“I have not heard from anyone, every step would have to go through Napoli who own the player's rights"

“However, if a club that satisfies the needs of Napoli and Hamsik presents an offer, then there could be a division. It's early to talk, but it is a possibility.”

Hamsik himself praised the English League before a game against Liverpool and said:

"I am pleased people want to see me, I want to perform well on this stage against a team like Liverpool at Anfield. I know the English league is a great league with a wonderful atmosphere and great stadia."

"There are rumours but no-one has contacted me or the club. I am calm and relaxed and just want to play well for Napoli.

While early in November the 23 year old said:

"I have to admit, it would be difficult to say no to Manchester United."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to move for Hamsik until the summer transfer window after claiming his side will be adding no new players to the squad in January. However, with the future of Owen Hargeaves and Michael Carrick in doubt due to persistent injuries and on/off form respectively, Ferguson is likely to be looking for a quality young midfielder in the summer.

When Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are gone, they will leave a gaping hole in the Manchester United team and Ferguson knows that this hole must be filled somehow, with the United fans' preference being good, strong playmakers of Manchester United quality.

Ji Sung Park saves United, but Hargreaves' First Start Ends Badly

It should have been a great day for Owen Hargreaves - his first start since 2008, and he would have been raring to go again after so long out. The adrenaline would have been pumping, and when the Old Trafford crowd cheered his name, he would have been determined to prove the faithful fans his worth.

Unfortunately, his dream day did not materialise. After picking up an injury in the 6th minute, he left the field in the 7th minute, clutching his hamstring. Hopefully, it is just the hamstring that he has pulled, and it isn't the recurring knee injury that has kept him out for two years. That way, he would be out for a couple of weeks/months, however, that won't be of consolation to the United man, as he limped off to the all to familiar treatment room.

Luckily, the day didn't end as badly for his team. It was a pretty poor performance overall from Manchester United, who substituted Hargreaves with Bebe, and changed around the system that had been prepared for match day. Nani was absent after a groin injury he picked up against Bursaspor, and Obertan stepped in. Berbatov was also missing, so the little Mexican Javier Hernandez replaced him up front on his own.

The first goal of the game came in the 45th minute from the inform Ji Sung Park. Fletcher saw a gap in the Wolves defence and fed in Park with a deadly accurate ball, and the South Korean made no mistake with a brilliant finish.

The second half, like the first started slowly, and only half chances came to Hernandez, Obertan and Bebe, but they were all woeful in their finishing.

However, the former Manchester United striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake lit up his former home with a nice turn from a Miljas pass, before firing powerfully passed Van der Sar. It all became a bit desperate from then on. Bebe's bad game was confirmed as he was substituted for Macheda in the 74th minute, and Scholes came on for O'Shea, in an attacking move.

United found themselves inside the Wolves half, attacking ad attacking, but to no avail. Wolves didn't seem like cracking from the pressure, and were even able to create a few chances of their own on the break.

But as has happened so many times over the years, the immense surge at the end of United games when they need a goal became too much for Wolves, and the Red Devils punished them in the form of Ji Sung Park again.

Fletcher was again the link to Park, and the rest was a brilliantly individual goal. After beating four defenders in the area, he finished with a low drive into the bottom corner - in the 93rd minute.

Two points behind Chelsea in the League, and still unbeaten, it was a good result, but one that was very hard fought, and done by the skin of their teeth.

Hargreaves is Back!

After what seemed like ages out of football with persitent injuries which seemed like never leaving him and even threatened his career, Owen Hargreaves is back in training for Manchester United.

Not only is he back in training, but he is also giving Sir Alex Ferguson headaches which may even keep him up at night. He is impressing Ferguson so much that he could be in a Manchester United squad - and therefore replacing a current regular in the very near future if he keeps his good form in training. The cure for Ferguson's headache, is quite simply the cause. Owen Hargreaves is an excellent weapon that can be injected into United side, and will add a great deal of stability to a defence which at the moment seems to be leaking silly goals like never before.

Carlo Ancelotti has recently said that having Michael Essien play for Chelsea again is like having a new player because he was out for most of last season. Manchester United having Hargreaves back is even better. He has been out for most of the time since signing for United, and his introduction now will be an excellent boost for the club and could prove the engine in the Manchester United side that this season could over-take Liverpool in the amount of titles won.

England World Cup Injury Update

Gareth Barry has become a major doubt for England's World Cup team. An injury during Manchester City's defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday could rule the England holding midfielder out for 4 weeks. The World Cup begins on June 11, which would leave Barry with little time to get back to full form if the predictions of his injury are correct.

This news would come as another blow for the England side, as he had been a regular player in the England manager, Capello's team during the qualifiers for the prestigious competition.

The call for a replacement may come as a blessing to some, as a player like Michael Carrick who has not been a big part of the England manager's plans for the World Cup, could come in as a replacement. In addition to Carrick, another Manchester United man, England's player of the tournament in their last World Cup trip in 2006, Owen Hargreaves has just returned after being 20 months out with serious knee trouble.

Golden Oldies such as Beckham and Owen are already out with injuries and Rio Ferdinand has had injury troubles all season. John Terry and Ashley Cole's private life's have been well publicised and other small troubles nag at Capello. If England's World Cup preparation is anything to go by, it may just be another disappointing World Cup tournament for the nation with so many world class players.