Injured Hargreaves out for a month

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match revelation that the combative midfielder had needed an injection to treat tendinitis will have repercussions well beyond the confines of Old Trafford, with the 26-year-old seemingly certain to miss England's forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

Ferguson did at least offer the small crumb of comfort that Hargreaves should not need surgery, but he was clearly downcast as he said: "Owen has had an injection in his knee and he'll be out for three to four weeks."

He added: "This is an option we had from the very start, and if it resurfaced again we (decided we) would do that. So he's had an injection to try to clear the tendinitis in his knee."

In the wake of the news on Hargreaves it was easy to almost forget that United had won again - their seventh straight victory aside from the Carling Cup capitulation to Coventry last week.

It was a win courtesy of Wayne Rooney's first goal of the season, a strike that showed what potential still remains largely unlocked in Ferguson's squad this season.

Ferguson was delighted to see his young star score his first competitive goal since April 28 in a campaign which has only just got going for Rooney following his opening-day metatarsal injury against Reading.

"It was only his fourth match and he is still trying to get his rhythm and real match fitness. That happens when you only play a few games," he said.

"But it will do him good. Goals always do players good, particularly when goals are expected of them, so I'm pleased with that."