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Hargreaves told to forget World Cup by Ferguson

Owen Hargreaves has missed the last 18 months © Getty Images

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told Owen Hargreaves to forget about the World Cup and concentrate solely on club matters at Old Trafford, after the midfielder admitted earlier this week that he dreams of playing for England at this summer's finals.

Hargreaves returned to action after an 18-month absence in a reserve team game against Burnley at Altrincham on Thursday. The midfielder completed 45 minutes of the 2-0 win and, whilst it was not the most physical of tests, he did enough to put himself in line for another appearance with the second string against the same opposition at Accrington next week.

Given his previous status as one of England's most influential midfield men, it is little wonder talk has immediately turned to Hargreaves' chances of being fully fit before Fabio Capello picks his squad for South Africa.

Hargreaves responded in a rather non-committal way to suggestions he could make the Finals, although he did confirm if he made sufficient progress and the call from Capello did come, he would relish the chance to appear on the World Cup stage once more, having been voted England's player of the tournament in 2006.

But Ferguson has quickly stamped on those ambitions, believing that after spending £18 million to lure the midfielder to England from Bayern Munich in 2007, the club deserve to be Hargreaves' chief priority. The midfielder made only 37 appearances before heading to Colorado for surgery on both knees to try and cure a chronic tendinitis problem, and Ferguson clearly believes the player's first duty is to United.

"We deserve some service from out of him,'' Ferguson said. "Talk about World Cups? He has been out for a year and a half. There is nothing wrong with talking about it but he should be concentrating on playing for Manchester United.''

In fact, Ferguson already has a comeback plan in place for a Hargreaves who, although he is not entitled to play any part in the Red Devils' Champions League campaign, could have a major role in the title run-in.

"I am delighted for him,'' Ferguson said. "He has been out of the game for 18 months, which is very difficult. He will need a couple of games more with the reserves. After that he should be back in the first-team squad. It is a good one to get at this time of the season.''

Although the England star still experiences an element of discomfort from the injury, Ferguson feels he can use the example of skipper Gary Neville - who was sidelined for even longer by a succession of muscular complaints and went on to make a successful return - as proof the battle can be won.

"We had experience of this long interval without playing with Gary Neville,'' Ferguson said. "Owen has the advantage of being a younger man. Hopefully now he is back for a continued period.''

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