I'm ready to go - Owen

Man Utd star Owen Hargreaves is confident his knee problems will not affect him this season after a course of summer injections.

The England star suffered from tendinitis during his debut season with the Red Devils but still managed to play a starring role - and demonstrate his versatility - as the side secured the Premier League and Champions League titles.

However, Hargreaves missed the trip to South Africa last week as he stayed behind to make sure he is ready for the big kick-off next month.

"The original plan was to go on tour to South Africa with the squad," Hargreaves told The Mirror. "But I had a serious problem last season, missed a lot of games and it appeared again in the summer.

"I've had some treatment, a course of injections. It takes a lot of time but the medical staff are hopeful and I think we've found the solution that will make sure I'm fit for the whole of the coming season."

The former Bayern Munich player added: "If that means missing a pre-season game or two and then being fit for the next 50, then I'll take that."