Owen Hargreaves out of Manchester United Champions League Team

England’s defensive midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been left out of Manchester United’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds. Previously, Hargreaves was expected to come back in the Champions League tie against A C Milan.

Hargreaves has been out since September 2008. This 29 years old midfielder is an ex Byern Munich player. He has undergone surgery on both knees in December 2008 and January 2009.

Now the big question is whether he will be able to take part in the World Cup which is going to held in South Africa later this year. Hargreaves’ performance was eye catching in the game against Portugal in the last world cup. In fact he was the only English player to score a goal in the penalty shoot out in that game.

Hargreaves has been replaced by Ritchie De Laet, in the only change to their squad for the knockout rounds.

Reports last month suggested Hargreaves was under pressure with a lack of confidence after being out for so long.

This now makes it difficult for Hargreaves to play enough games to secure an England World Cup place. Consequently this may force Sir Alex Ferguson to think upon signing a central defensive midfielder in the summer transfer market.