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Should Manchester United take him back under a Pay As You Play contract?

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Reports suggest that recently released Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves would be willing to accept a Pay-As-You-Play contract in order to find Premier League football once more. Owen Hargreaves has had his career derailed through injuries for almost a half decade now and is no doubt desperate to prove that he can still perform at the top level. Bad luck and bad injuries have meant that the England international managed only 39 appearances in his four years with Manchester United.

The lack of game time meant that Sir Alex Ferguson had no choice but to release the midfielder at the end of his contract. It was either that or offer up a new contract to a man who may not ever finish another game of Premier League football.

But the news that he’d be willing to accept a Pay-As-You-Play contract adds a new spin on the situation. It minimises the risk that Manchester United are placed under by offering Hargreaves a new contract. By assuring that Hargreaves only gets paid for the games he actually plays, his injury problems become something of a moot point. He can sit on the bench all he likes and wont get paid a dime.

Of course, it’s not exactly that simple. Footballers on a PAYP contract still get paid a wage. It’s just much smaller than most footballers under normal contracts. Whilst Manchester United won’t be looking to waste any cash this summer, putting Hargreaves under a reasonably negotiated PAYP contract seems like a decent expense.

Whilst he’s hardly at fault for the injuries he has suffered through his career, he did unwittingly become something of a cash-drain during his time at United. Accepting a PAYP contract with United could be his way of paying penance for his original tenure at Old Trafford.

During his first season with Manchester United it was clear to see what a quality player he was. It’s fair to say that he’s been missed by both United and England during the years that have followed. If Hargreaves can ever recover his form, United will be on to a real winner.

The only real argument against signing him under these terms is whether it’s best for Hargreaves to seek out a fresh start somewhere else. Perhaps with new surroundings and under a new regime, Hargreaves would be able to re-establish himself in the Premier League. However, I can’t help but feel that this outlook is somewhat optimistic. Manchester United’s team doctors and physicians have been working with Hargreaves for a number of years now and to expect him to improve miraculously elsewhere is just wishful thinking.

It’s clear to me that the best place for Hargreaves is Manchester United. After all, how gutted would United fans feel if he were to move to another club and finally get over all his injury problems? If he is to find his feet once more it should be at Old Trafford.

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0 comments

  • Essi Greb says:

    I couldn`t agree more. If you take away all the games Ronaldo scored 2 goals from xmas to the CL-finale in 2008, Hargreaves was in my opinion more or less man of the match for us every game – whether he was right midfielder, central midfielder or fullback. Fantastic player!

  • hakeem says:

    he is a real gem i will more than happy if the agreement can be reached between him and the club.he is the kind of character we need in our midfield & the team as a hole

  • RagHeadRob says:

    I would love him to stay….Couldn’t bear it if he left & got over his injury problems….

  • fredrick odhis says:

    I would hope that he be given another chance with this kind of arrangement.If he can stay healthy,and i pray he does,he could prove to be the best bargain and crucial buy of the season.

    He’s got passion,steel and the required experience.

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