Manchester United have been assured that Owen Hargreaves' nagging tendonitis will eventually fade away.

"We have to manage Owen's injury in a different way," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's had all the treatment but his knee flares up now and again and there's nothing we can do about it.

"The specialists have said that, in time, the problem will go away and we hope they're correct because Owen's an important player for us."