Hargo's Surgery Should Have Been In June

Owen Hargreaves is a very good player, one who could be very important for Manchester United. Unfortunately, ever since he's arrived at the club he's dogged by a persistent tendonitis problem.

After a very good showing in the Champions League final it looked like there was light at the end of the tunnel. Yet the man himself admitted that he never felt perfectly well and that sooner or later something must be done about his knee.

Now, almost six months later, rumours are that Hargreaves is going to have surgery on his knee to get rid of the problem once and for all. It hasn't been confirmed from Old Trafford but the fact is, Hargreaves hasn't played since September 21 - since the 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

Therefore, we must ask the question: if everyone knew that his knee DID NOT heal - and everyone knew that, Fergie also warned us about it - then why wasn't surgery done in June? Current reports speak about a possible six-months absence - well, if that's the case he would be back around this time if he had the operation after the Champions League final.

I very much understand that a human being does not look forward to being put under the knife and is keen to explore other opportunities before regretfully accepting his fate. However, Owen must ask himself: was the wait worth it? It's easy to speak in hindsight, I know but those who saw his tests, who were consulted about his knee problems should have known better back then.

Losing Hargreaves for the entire season is a massive blow, with Scholes advancing years and injury-proneness of late and with Anderson's inconsistency. And perhaps this blow could have been avoided, had the people around the player given him better advice all those months ago.

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