Manchester United News 24/7Writer: Red Boy 
Date:Wednesday August 31 2011
Time: 4:38PM
UK time is: 21:33:14
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Hargreaves in City Shock
Well that was one we never saw coming!
After expecting Owen Hargreaves, recently released by Manchester United, to join either West Bromwich Albion or Aston Villa, the Canadian born England international only goes and bags himself a contract over at our noisy-neighbours.
Now 30 years of age, Hargreaves, as we all know, has had a torrid time with injuries over the past three seasons, racking up a mere 125 minutes of first team action. However, after concentrating on getting fully-fit and parading his fitness on a series of YouTube videos Hargreaves has passed a medical at City and has signed a one year deal.
Naturally delighted to get a deal, Hargreaves enthused to the media yesterday,
"I`m going to blow people away. I`m coming back believing I can return to the level I was at before."
"My body feels great and my knees are perfect. I`d like to think I can play 40 games this season. I hope to be back in the England side for the European Championships next summer. You have to have ambition."
Although Owen has moved to our noisy-neighbours, I doubt whether I`m in a minority here when I say that I wish him well and I truly hope that he has shaken off those injury nightmares.
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Your Comments
Wow! Hat's off Red Boy. It seems your fellow U*d fans aren't of the same mindset from the nonsense I've been reading about this deal the last 24 hours.
Bluedub
Wow! Hat's off Red Boy. It seems your fellow U*d fans aren't of the same mindset from the nonsense I've been reading about this deal the last 24 hours.
Bluedub
Suspect you are in a minority RedBoy, but respect anyway.
fifthcolumnblue
Suspect you are in a minority RedBoy, but respect anyway.
fifthcolumnblue
they have only bought him to ***** u off
footballtaz1
they have only bought him to ***** u off
footballtaz1
Best of luck Hargo. Can't help but think though that signing for City when they have Toure, Barry, De Jong and Milner who can all operate as a CM/CDM won't help him achieve what he wants to achieve. He won't be getting sufficient game time to break back into the England team or find his best form again. If he can find his best form and stay fit there's no doubt in my mind he'll be playing for City week-in week-out as Hargo is World Class. Slightly gutted that City signed him on the deal I wanted him to resign for us on. In Fergie I trust, though I can't help but hope the club was wrong for letting him go as I do like Hargreaves and would love to see him playing some of the lovely football he played, after what his been through he deserves it.
TheFamousNo7
Best of luck Hargo. Can't help but think though that signing for City when they have Toure, Barry, De Jong and Milner who can all operate as a CM/CDM won't help him achieve what he wants to achieve. He won't be getting sufficient game time to break back into the England team or find his best form again. If he can find his best form and stay fit there's no doubt in my mind he'll be playing for City week-in week-out as Hargo is World Class. Slightly gutted that City signed him on the deal I wanted him to resign for us on. In Fergie I trust, though I can't help but hope the club was wrong for letting him go as I do like Hargreaves and would love to see him playing some of the lovely football he played, after what his been through he deserves it.
TheFamousNo7
Biggest shock is that the mighty reds didn't get in another midfielder themselves - all those "Sneijder is at Manchester airport" ITK's must have a lot of egg dribbling down their faces! Oh well, Felcher, Carrick, Anderson and Cleverly it is - not bad on paper, but can't see you winning the league with that 4 just yet.
fifthcolumnblue
Biggest shock is that the mighty reds didn't get in another midfielder themselves - all those "Sneijder is at Manchester airport" ITK's must have a lot of egg dribbling down their faces! Oh well, Felcher, Carrick, Anderson and Cleverly it is - not bad on paper, but can't see you winning the league with that 4 just yet.
fifthcolumnblue
I read that Sneijder was close, I would have loved him to come, but I understand if United didnt want to pay the fee nor the wages demanded, given his age. However I have just read that apparantly finances was not the issue, as United never spoke to Sneijder, so SAF must have seen something in the youngsters that changed his mind. As for us not winning the league, it was the same story last year, we did okay didnt we, and I guess you havent watched Ando and Cleverly lately, they are more than equipped to win the PL. Was it not the same Cleverly and Ando that tore a hole in *****ty just recently? As for Hargo, I would have loved for him to stay on, but in the end he hadnt played for over 2 years, and is past his prime. I agree with you Famous, he was one the best midfielders, but that was a long time ago. He will we maybe get a few games a city, thats it, he will never reach his previous best, and in some way I do blame him, signing for City, our rivals, you just dont do that, on the other hand, it is hard to dislike him, and without a doubt, they offered him the best financial deal of the interested parties.
nordkap
I read that Sneijder was close, I would have loved him to come, but I understand if United didnt want to pay the fee nor the wages demanded, given his age. However I have just read that apparantly finances was not the issue, as United never spoke to Sneijder, so SAF must have seen something in the youngsters that changed his mind. As for us not winning the league, it was the same story last year, we did okay didnt we, and I guess you havent watched Ando and Cleverly lately, they are more than equipped to win the PL. Was it not the same Cleverly and Ando that tore a hole in *****ty just recently? As for Hargo, I would have loved for him to stay on, but in the end he hadnt played for over 2 years, and is past his prime. I agree with you Famous, he was one the best midfielders, but that was a long time ago. He will we maybe get a few games a city, thats it, he will never reach his previous best, and in some way I do blame him, signing for City, our rivals, you just dont do that, on the other hand, it is hard to dislike him, and without a doubt, they offered him the best financial deal of the interested parties.
nordkap
Best financial deal? Doubt it, the details of the deal haven't been released yet, but the suggestion is a very small basic wage with heavily incentivised payments based on appearances. I think Hargreaves joined for the chance at Champions League football and the exposure that will bring him in his laudable attempts to get himself back into the England squad. If he earns some money out of this deal it will be because he's fit and playing well - something which will make all parties in this deal extrememly happy. Nobody expects Hargreaves to be the same player he was before injuries robbed him of the best years of his career, but if he is fit is undeniably still a fine player. The added bonus is reading comments on some of the rag blogs like Republic of Skankunia like "Hope Vidic snaps him the ****!". Classy; nice to see Vital united has a slightly better class of poster.
fifthcolumnblue
Best financial deal? Doubt it, the details of the deal haven't been released yet, but the suggestion is a very small basic wage with heavily incentivised payments based on appearances. I think Hargreaves joined for the chance at Champions League football and the exposure that will bring him in his laudable attempts to get himself back into the England squad. If he earns some money out of this deal it will be because he's fit and playing well - something which will make all parties in this deal extrememly happy. Nobody expects Hargreaves to be the same player he was before injuries robbed him of the best years of his career, but if he is fit is undeniably still a fine player. The added bonus is reading comments on some of the rag blogs like Republic of Skankunia like "Hope Vidic snaps him the ****!". Classy; nice to see Vital united has a slightly better class of poster.
fifthcolumnblue
I still believe he would have a better chance of playing time at a smaller club. I also doubt Mancini will let Hargreaves occupy one of the CL spots. I think he will be used it in the smaller games, Carling cup, FA cup allowing him to prove himself, if he is fit, which is a big if. Its tasteless to wish a injury on any footballer, regardless of the team he plays for.
nordkap
I still believe he would have a better chance of playing time at a smaller club. I also doubt Mancini will let Hargreaves occupy one of the CL spots. I think he will be used it in the smaller games, Carling cup, FA cup allowing him to prove himself, if he is fit, which is a big if. Its tasteless to wish a injury on any footballer, regardless of the team he plays for.
nordkap
That said, I dont mind Messi picking up a small injury when we meet them in the CL final again :)
nordkap
That said, I dont mind Messi picking up a small injury when we meet them in the CL final again :)
nordkap
Actuallly, I think Hargreaves will make both the PL and Champions league squad - under PL squad rules we have only 21 senior players (excluding those under 21 etc.), and even for the CL squad we still have only 24 including Hargreaves. We'll have to wait and see, as the squads have to be submitted by midnight tonight, but my money is on him making it. And won't you all be shocked when City name a smaller squad than either yourselves, Chelsea or Arsenal eh? LOL
fifthcolumnblue
Actuallly, I think Hargreaves will make both the PL and Champions league squad - under PL squad rules we have only 21 senior players (excluding those under 21 etc.), and even for the CL squad we still have only 24 including Hargreaves. We'll have to wait and see, as the squads have to be submitted by midnight tonight, but my money is on him making it. And won't you all be shocked when City name a smaller squad than either yourselves, Chelsea or Arsenal eh? LOL
fifthcolumnblue
That said, I dont mind Messi picking up a small injury when we meet them in the CL final again :)
nordkap
Not sure anyone would hold that one against you!
fifthcolumnblue
That said, I dont mind Messi picking up a small injury when we meet them in the CL final again :)
nordkap
Not sure anyone would hold that one against you!
fifthcolumnblue
All I can say is goodluck Owen - ya gonna be missed by this Utd fan.....
niteworlok
All I can say is goodluck Owen - ya gonna be missed by this Utd fan.....
niteworlok
fcb do you reckon Hargreaves is signing for the short-term until you can find someone else? I'm wondering this because didn't Mancini say he wanted or liked De Rossi who is in the final year of his contract?
TheFamousNo7
fcb do you reckon Hargreaves is signing for the short-term until you can find someone else? I'm wondering this because didn't Mancini say he wanted or liked De Rossi who is in the final year of his contract?
TheFamousNo7
I'd say that depends TF7. I'm sure right now it's being viewed as a short term cover for Yaya when he goes on ACN duty, however if he does prove himself fit and able I'm sure his position would be reassessed. Mancini is a fan of De Rossi and I'm sure will keep a close eye on the contract negotiations, as will Fergie. My feeling on it is that De Rossi will sign a new contract with Roma and the links that are continuously being made in the Italian media to U*d and City are being planted by his agent as a negotiating tactic to get him more money.
Bluedub
I'd say that depends TF7. I'm sure right now it's being viewed as a short term cover for Yaya when he goes on ACN duty, however if he does prove himself fit and able I'm sure his position would be reassessed. Mancini is a fan of De Rossi and I'm sure will keep a close eye on the contract negotiations, as will Fergie. My feeling on it is that De Rossi will sign a new contract with Roma and the links that are continuously being made in the Italian media to U*d and City are being planted by his agent as a negotiating tactic to get him more money.
Bluedub
Agree with Bluedub - De Rossi is the classic "One club player" and is unlikely to ever leave Roma - not while he's still at the top of his game anyway.
fifthcolumnblue
Agree with Bluedub - De Rossi is the classic "One club player" and is unlikely to ever leave Roma - not while he's still at the top of his game anyway.
fifthcolumnblue
Apparantly Hargreaves was not in the City CL squad as predicted, according to Mancini is still short of fitness, and needs another apr. 6 weeks to regain, I still believe he will play in the Carling and FA cup, but still thats one hell of player to put in these games. Did guys read about the record profit United has just released, even the debt has seriously been reduced. Our wage/revenue ration is also within the frame of FIFA fairplay, thinks are looking good for Manchester United football club.. If now we could only make SAF 15 years younger, then we are set. ;)
nordkap
Apparantly Hargreaves was not in the City CL squad as predicted, according to Mancini is still short of fitness, and needs another apr. 6 weeks to regain, I still believe he will play in the Carling and FA cup, but still thats one hell of player to put in these games. Did guys read about the record profit United has just released, even the debt has seriously been reduced. Our wage/revenue ration is also within the frame of FIFA fairplay, thinks are looking good for Manchester United football club.. If now we could only make SAF 15 years younger, then we are set. ;)
nordkap
Nordkap, U*d were never under any threat from FFP rules. The rules effectively protect the established elite. I was reading about the profits U*d have made, it seems the green and gold campaign was a tad misplaced.
Bluedub
Nordkap, U*d were never under any threat from FFP rules. The rules effectively protect the established elite. I was reading about the profits U*d have made, it seems the green and gold campaign was a tad misplaced.
Bluedub
The green and gold campaign highlighted fan concerns, but never achieved anything - still would have liked to have one of the scarves for my son and wife and myself though :P
niteworlok
The green and gold campaign highlighted fan concerns, but never achieved anything - still would have liked to have one of the scarves for my son and wife and myself though :P
niteworlok
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