Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a positive report on Owen Hargreaves' rehab from knee surgery.

Ferguson said: "Owen is recovering well and continuing with his rehabilitation work.

"We are taking things step by step, not rushing anything and are making sure everything is done right so that he gets back to full fitness.

"He won't be ready this season, but Owen will be working with our fitness people during the summer and we hope he will be ready for pre-season training - and our trip to the Far East in mid-July.

"Owen's second operation has been completely successful and it was better than the first one which was much more difficult.

"The second one was completely clear and I am certain he will be ready for the start of next season.

"Sending him for these two operations was not a decision taken lightly but we had exhausted every other way of trying to deal with the situation.

"We have tried to manage it by sending him to a specialist for a series of injections. Their success rate is very good, but unfortunately it wasn't good enough for Owen because he was still feeling great pain in his knee caps.

"It's been a bad time for the lad and we have missed him but hopefully the problem will be cured for good."