Owen Hargreaves has become the forgotten man of Manchester United and England since undergoing surgery on a debilitating knee condition in the United States last year. Now, after a long battle to regain fitness, he is on the verge of a return to action . . .

What is it like being back in Manchester, after spending so much time away from everyone?

The reception has been great. It has been a very difficult experience for me, it’s just good to be back around the guys. There’s a great spirit among this team and I hope to join them very soon.

How difficult has the past year been?

It’s been very hard. As an athlete you think you are invincible, so you don’t think something of this magnitude and seriousness will happen. I obviously had a problem when I came from Bayern Munich [in July 2007], which we tried to manage. Nothing really seemed to work. My last game was at Chelsea [on September 21 last year] and I probably shouldn’t have played. I struggled to drive my car for three days after that match. I knew something was very wrong.

Did the injuries frustrate you in the early days at United?

My first season was stop-start because I already had the problem. It wasn’t as serious as it was at the end of my second season, but I guess I never understood the extent of what was wrong. I wasn’t the only one, but I just didn’t want to stop playing. The club had spent a lot of time and money acquiring me and I didn’t want to be out straightaway. In hindsight, playing made it worse, but it was a learning process. I’ve learnt to trust my intuition.

What do you now understand about your patellar tendinitis injury?

Dr Richard Steadman said it was one of the most serious cases he’d seen in 30 years — I knew, after hearing that, I was in trouble. The diagnosis was made to ensure I can come back and play for years to come. I’m 28 and I’d like to play until I’m 34, or like Giggsy, who looks as though he’ll still be going when he’s 38.

A lot’s changed in the past year — even City are on the scene now. What have you made of the past 12 months?

City have spent a lot of money, but that doesn’t guarantee sustained success. For United to have won the Premier League three times in a row and to have won so many titles in recent years are incredible feats.

Are you ready to fight for your place in the team?

I just want to be a part of it, to be available and healthy. I can’t wait to be involved and to play again for United. I want a good season to repay the faith shown in me by the fans. It’ll be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I’ll be so excited I’ll probably pass out.