Owen Hargreaves insists he can rediscover his best form, with Sir Alex Ferguson believing he could be back in the first team early next month.
• Sir Alex slams FA as Gerrard escapes
The Manchester United midfielder ended an 18-month injury nightmare on Thursday night when he made a 45-minute appearance in the Red Devils reserve side's victory over Burnley at Altrincham's Moss Lane.
Hargreaves' ultimate aim is to rediscover the form that made him England's player of the 2006 World Cup and persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to invest £18 million on him 12 months later.
"I had better get there,'' said the former Bayern Munich star. "I am not coming back to just be one of the guys and to fill a spot. I have never been that way and, if that was the case, then I would rather walk away.
"I am coming back to have an impact and hopefully I can do it this season.''
Hargreaves arrived from Bayern Munich with the tendinitis problem but completed around half United's games during that first season, including that famous Champions League final win over Chelsea in the Luzhniki Stadium.
"Not everybody's right and people make mistakes. That's part of life,'' he said. "Ideally they don't involve you. When they do, you aren't too happy about it.
"In the end I missed two full seasons for Man United. I came here with high expectations for myself, and from the club's side of it, and the fans. To not to be able to play from 27 to 29 is incredibly disappointing.''
With time running out, it seems unlikely Hargreaves could mount a serious bid to play in this summer's World Cup. Yet he has not entirely ruled the prospect out, even if, realistically, he would have to be pushing for a first-team recall within a couple of weeks.
"Well it's there,'' he said of the target. "How it will materialise I don't know. I would love to have the opportunity to play again but I will have to see how I progress and just take it day by day. If I'm there, I'm there and I would love to help. If I'm not, I'm not.''
Hargreaves will not be involved against Liverpool on Sunday when, after getting a full week to prepare and no midweek game ahead of his team, Sir Alex Ferguson should be choosing from strength.
But Sir Alex says he could be back shortly.
"Obviously last night, Owen Hargreaves made his comeback, which is a big boost to the boy,'' said Ferguson. "I am delighted for him. He has been out of the game for 18 months, which is very difficult.
"He will need a couple of games more with the reserves. After that he should be back in the first team squad. It is a good one to get at this time of the season.
"We have experienced of this long interval without playing with Gary Neville. Owen has the advantage of being a younger man. Hopefully now he is back for a continued period.''
