Ferguson's men open their Barclays Premier League title defence against Newcastle United on 17th August at Old Trafford.

Hargreaves has been forced to miss United's pre-season tour of South Africa after suffering a recurrence of the tendonitis problem which first surfaced at the start of last season.

Yet again, the England international felt the problem on the first day of pre-season training, although having solved it with a series of injections last November, at least United know what they are dealing with this time around.

While Hargreaves will remain in Manchester for treatment while the majority of his team-mates are on a four-match tour of South Africa and Nigeria, Ferguson is convinced the former Bayern Munich man will be back in action within a fortnight.

"By the time we come back from South Africa, Owen should be okay," said Ferguson. "We have certainly not written him off for the start of the season. He will have a series of injections in his knee but I am sure he will be fine."