Owen Hargreaves has been dealt a fresh blow with the confirmation he will miss the start of the season at Manchester United.

The midfielder made one substitute appearance last term, following a torrid time with injuries.

It was hoped that with a summer under his belt, the former Bayern Munich man would hit the ground running in August but manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the player is still some way off fitness.

"The bad news is that Owen Hargreaves is back in America seeing a specialist," Ferguson said. "He will not be ready for the start of the season. I do not know when he will be back."