Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has repaid a visit to knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman.

The Daily Star says Hargreaves, 29 would have been at the World Cup but for a last-minute intervention by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Instead he has been to Colorado to see the surgeon who operated on both knees to try to cure tendonitis. United do not expect Hargreaves to go under the knife again.

Last season Hargreaves played only one minute in the first team yet was initially named in England's 30-man squad.