Manchester United insist Owen Hargreaves' withdrawal from their reserve match is not a setback in his comeback.

The England international was due to make his long-awaited return at Altrincham's Moss Lane, but he will no longer feature in the game.

The former Bayern Munich man has not played for the Red Devils since September 2008 with a series of knee problems keeping him on the sidelines.

United insists Hargreaves has not suffered a fresh problem and that the timing of the reserve fixture no longer works within his schedule.

"This definitely isn't another injury setback," a spokesman told the club's official website.

"It just doesn't fit in with Owen's training schedule."