Owen Hargreaves hopes of a first team return for next season, have been dashed according to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson revealed that Hargreaves will miss the clubs pre-season tour of America, after suffering another setback in his long recovery to fitness.

The 29-year-old England international hoped to join his team-mates on the tour, but will instead re-visit Dr Richard Steadman, for a further assessment on the injury.

Hargreaves (left) has been out of action since September 2008, and it was Dr Steadman who carried out a double knee-op then, in an effort to cure him from the chronic tendonitis related injury.

However, this latest setback has left Manchester United fans questioning whether they will ever see the £20 million signing from Bayern Munich, playing at the Theatre of Dreams again?

The tough-tackling midfielder is left facing an anxious wait to discover if there is any way of battling back from injury that has plagued his Man United career.

The latest setback could force Sir Alex Ferguson back into the transfer market, as he attempts to regain the Premier League title, wrestled away from them by Chelsea in May.

by Brad Kemsley