This summer Owen Hargreaves was offered a surprising opportunity to force himself upon the footballing landscape once more. The 30-year-old’s career was in tatters after a troubling time at Manchester United came to a sudden end with Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to release him from his contract with the Red Devils. After four years with United and just 27 appearances, it looked like Hargreaves’ career was in real jeopardy.
But Owen fought back, posting Youtube videos of him exercising, advertising his ‘fitness’ to potential clubs. This in turn with specialist knee surgeon J. Richard Steadman’s assessment that Hargreave’s knees could withstand ‘jumping from the Eiffel Tower’, allowed the ex-United star to court a number of new clubs. Amongst those thought to be interested were Aston Villa, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Rangers, Tottenham, QPR, Rangers and a number of MLS clubs.
That was before Hargreaves pulled off one of the signings of the summer by agreeing a one-year deal with Manchester City. It was a move that had fans from across the footballing world up in arms. Manchester United fans struggled with Hargreaves act of betrayal, City fans were bewildered by the signing and wondered when and where he would play, whilst neutrals were astounded he didn’t join a club that would offer him genuine opportunities.
Six months on and it’s difficult to claim that Hargreaves did the right thing by joining Manchester City. The move was supposed to offer him Champions League football but he was left out of City’s Champions League squad. The move was supposed to give him an opportunity to prove that he can still perform at the top level and potentially break back into the England team, but he just hasn’t been given the opportunity to do so.
Had he moved to Villa, Leicester City or QPR, he would have had ample opportunities to prove his worth. He knew what he was doing when he opted to join City. It meant less football but a decent wage. Joining Leicester would have meant a fair wage and plenty of football. I can’t help but wonder if Hargreaves now looks back at his decision with a twinge of regret.
After all, his career doesn’t seem to be any better than it was in the summer, when it took a desperate ploy to earn the attention of the footballing world. Beyond Owen Hargreaves posting videos on Youtube of himself blasting in goals from 30-yards out in his own back garden, I’m not sure what he can do next.
Once more he finds his career under threat and he may well struggle even more to get it back on track this time.
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Hargreaves is a fuckin traitor I hope he gets run over by a dustbin truck the honkey bastard
As an ardent Citifan I was pleased with the decision believing it a no brainer for both. Unfortunately I assume his fitness may not have come up to the required first team standard. However if that is the case why has he not gone out on loan for the second half of season. Maybe that can still happen to a championship club. Good luck to him anyway.
TOOL ALERT:
“Hargreaves is a fuckin traitor I hope he gets run over by a dustbin truck the honkey bastard”
How exactly is he a traitor when Ferguson released him, you inbred cockmuching retard? Is he supposed to retire instantly on being dispatched from the Swamp?
Fuck off back to Singapore or Kent or whichever other Rag stronghold you crawled in from, you mong.
Hargreaves has been carrying niggling injuries since joining City in the summer and would’ve gotten few opportunities at any club as a consequence. Hargreaves is a good player but has struggled throughout his career with a series of unfortunate injuries. I doubt City will be renewing his contract next season but best of luck to the lad whereveer he ends up.