Hargreaves in timely return

With Paul Scholes absent from the United squad while he awaits a second scan on the knee injury he suffered in Kiev earlier in the week, Hargreaves' recovery from tendinitis could not be better timed as Sir Alex Ferguson's team look to put a little pressure on Arsenal ahead of the League leaders' visit to Liverpool tomorrow.

It is not certain that Hargreaves will start today — despite Ferguson saying that he will — but he is destined to play some part and finally begin in earnest a United career that so far numbers just three appearances.

Ferguson said: "We may just give him an hour or something as we have to be careful at this stage, but we are very glad to have him back. He will be a great addition and it's good for him as it hasn't been easy. He came here for a large fee and he will feel that, no doubt about it.

"He has only played three games and that is not what he came here for. He has been disappointed. But he can help us achieve great success here, especially in European games.

"He is very quick and senses danger very well. He will become a very important player, I know that."

Hargreaves will be part of a United squad today that will provide a glimpse into the future.

With Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez playing up front, Hargreaves and the Brazilian Anderson appearing in midfield, and Portuguese duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani also in the squad, this is what Ferguson envisaged when he sat down in the summer.

The United manager has been particularly impressed with Anderson — excellent against Kiev in midweek — and his progress has made up in some part for the absence of Hargreaves and Michael Carrick, who will have another scan on his injured shoulder on Monday.

Ferguson said: "Anderson has settled in really well. He's only 19 but has shown great football qualities and knowledge, and everybody has been very pleased with his performances. We took a bit of a risk with him but we are seeing the dividends now.

"I am looking forward to seeing him develop as he has great desire to learn. I think this group of players have a great chance if they stay together.

"Their achievements will always be measured in relation to what previous squads have done, but this squad is young enough to develop and get better."

With Hargreaves returning and Carrick due back against Arsenal next week if his scan is clear, Ferguson can at least see some end to an injury crisis that has caused him concern in recent weeks.

Scholes is the latest casualty and it is clear that United are anxious about his condition after a scan on his knee this week proved inconclusive.

"He just felt a click in his knee as he turned in training," said Ferguson. "He will see another specialist on Monday and hopefully we will find out what is going on. Obviously, he will miss this game but we are hopeful that it won't be a long-term injury."

With Gary Neville still sidelined and Louis Saha once again absent with knee trouble today, Ferguson's squad continues to be tested but should not be over-stretched by the visit of struggling Middlesbrough.

Ferguson was critical of Boro manager Gareth Southgate last season when the former England defender accused Ronaldo of diving to win a penalty at The Riverside, but he claimed yesterday to take no pleasure from his current troubles.

Ferguson said: "Middlesbrough are struggling because they lost players like Mark Viduka and Yakubu in the summer. It is very hard to replace players like that, as Gareth Southgate is discovering. I think that is why they are not doing as well this year.

"But they will be OK. They produce a lot of good young players up there and I am sure that will continue."