Di Matteo aims to extend unbeaten run

Oct 15 2010 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

ROBERTO Di Matteo hopes to retain his unbeaten run at Old Trafford as he returns to the venue for the first time since his final full game as a footballer.

The Italian played in a memorable 3-3 draw for Chelsea just five days before his career was effectively ended by a triple leg fracture.

Di Matteo picked up the injury during Chelsea’s UEFA Cup game against St Gallen, with further complications forcing him into early retirement.

He will be given a poignant reminder of the fragility of a footballer’s career when Owen Hargreaves makes his long-awaited comeback from a succession of injury problems.

Di Matteo, who never lost a game as a player at Old Trafford, said: “Footballers’ careers are short as it is and if they are made shorter through injury then that is not good news.

“I wish Owen all the best. I hope he will be able to play football again.

“I had a lot of complications. It was a triple fracture and then the nightmare started. Every morning I get up I get reminded by my leg that I had an injury. That’s life.”