Sir Alex Ferguson believes restoring Owen Hargreaves' confidence could be the next stage in the Manchester United midfielder's comeback plans.

Hargreaves returned to England last month after a year out following major surgery on both knees to cure a tendinitis problem.

At the time, Ferguson suggested the former Bayern Munich man could be back in action by the beginning of November, something he pre-empted by naming him in his Champions League squad at the beginning of the tournament.

However, with the first of what are now effectively dead rubbers looming against Besiktas at Old Trafford on Wednesday and England coach Fabio Capello monitoring the player's progress, Ferguson has confirmed Hargreaves is yet to start proper footballing training.

Club officials insist there has been no setback, which if it were to be the case would raise serious setbacks over the 28-year-old's future in the game.

What Ferguson does think is that Hargreaves is adopting a tentative approach having played with pain for so long and knowing the significance of his eventual return to action.

"Owen is training very well," said the United boss.

"It is more a confidence thing for the lad to come back into full training with us.

"He is doing quite good work with the physios and football-related training but he is not at a competitive level at the moment.

"He has been out for a year and two months, so we are of the opinion that he should take his time and not rush it. In that respect, he needs to get his confidence back."