Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Manchester United’s medical team after Owen Hargreaves said he felt like a “guinea pig” while recovering from injury.

The midfielder, who barely played in his last three seasons at Old Trafford, has alleged his comeback was affected by a course of pain-killing injections.

“I’ve had to be a guinea pig for a lot of treatments,” Hargreaves, who joined Manchester City in the summer, stated.

United boss Ferguson said: “Our doctor and his five physios are fantastic.”

Ferguson, who last year admitted to having concerns over Hargreaves’ ability to make a successful comeback from his injury problems, added: “As far as I am concerned my medical staff are one of the main reasons why we have been so successful over the last few years.

“Do you think we would be successful if they were not 100% brilliant? That is my opinion and that is more important than what anyone else has to say about it.”

Hargreaves, 30, spent four seasons at Old Trafford but persistent tendinitis meant the player had to have double knee surgery during the 2008-09 season.

United today travel to Stoke while City  play host to Everton in the day’s early kick-off.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all play at home against Wolves, Bolton and Swansea.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has said he hopes his influential captain Steven Gerrard will not be rushed back into England duty after making his long-awaited club return against Brighton this week, who came very close to drawing the game.

Gerrard, who has won 89 caps for his country, has missed England’s last six games – including four qualifiers – since his last international appearance, a 2-1 friendly defeat by France in November 2010.

Dalglish said: “I just hope they are as intelligent as we have been.

“I don’t pick England’s team. Whatever they have to do, they have to do.” Newcastle against Blackburn, West Brom versus Fulham and Wigan against Tottenham complete Saturday’s fixtures.

On Sunday QPR host Aston Villa while on Monday Sunderland travel
to Norwich.

Pic 1: Sir Alex Ferguson: “That is my opinion and that is more important than what anyone else has to say about it.”

Pic 2: Steven Gerrard will not be rushed back after long lay-off