Posted on Tuesday, 30th August 2011 by Chudi
News today that Owen Hargreaves could be on the verge of signing for Man City was met with a mixed response.
Having been released by us this summer after an injury plagued 4 years it was thought that Hargreaves could be on his way to West Brom, but today it emerged that Man City were shock suitors for the England midfielder.
Having become somewhat of a cult hero for his part in our double winning 07/08 season, I’m sure we as fans were nearly as disappointed as he was every time he was penciled in to return and didn’t appear on the teamsheet on footballscores.com or that he was scheduled to play but suffered a set back, so rightly there was some anger when it became apparent that he could be on his way to Eastlands.
Hargreaves has worked hard to prove his fitness this summer going as far as to release videos on YouTube to demonstrate that his body is up to the rigours of football but it appeared few were willing to take a risk beyond Sven Goran Eriksson, Roy Hodgson and Tom Soehn, manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
It has emerged that Hargreaves was desperate to remain at Old Trafford and even offered to play for free but the club turned down his offer, so how angry should we be that he is now set to sign for rivals Man City?
Earlier this summer I looked at a players loyalty to his club and to himself and this is another ideal example.
Hargreaves has been out of the game for since 2008, I don’t count these numerous false dawns and reserve appearances and I’m sure he doesn’t either. Looking at the press this summer it appeared that he would have to take a massive step down to continue his career.
Going from playing for Manchester United to the likes of Leicester, West Brom or Vancouver Whitecaps wouldn’t have been easy, especially as he had gone to such efforts to prove his fitness so the fact a team like Man City have come in for him must feel like Christmas to Hargreaves.
Although he apparently had offers from Aston Villa and Tottenham, Man City are the obvious option as they are a team on the rise not only domestically but also in Europe and offer the best prospect for silverware.
Another case for him to join them is the fact that we released him. He offered to play for free and we turned him down so essentially he was free to do what he liked regardless of past allegiances, whether we agree or not.
As my fellow blogger Rob B pointed out he isn’t the first person to do it so why has this move evoked such anger? Denis Law made the move and isn’t regarded in a negative light, Mark Hughes went over there and isn’t as chastised as Hargreaves has been but why?
Some are calling him a mercenary, claiming that he is simply going for the money but surely you must agree that he believes if he is fit he will break into their squad. A fit Hargreaves would easily be amongst their top midfielders and if he was good enough to do a job for us why not them? He clearly has faith in his ability to play at the top level thus he rejected Eriksson’s offer to play Championship level football.
So is it a simple case of loyalty?
Throughout the 4 years Hargreaves was at the club we stuck by him despite the injuries. As mentioned there were various relapses and injuries that kept him from playing again. Other clubs would have cancelled his contract but we continued to pay his wages.
He was with us long enough to understand the needle between the two clubs and also saw how it has grown over the past few years so even though we rejected his offer to play for free would it have been a sign of good will not to sign for our local rivals and biggest title threat?
As disappointed as I am, I can’t fault him for joining City. They represented the best deal for him financially and in terms of on field prospects. He could have joined a lesser team but that is an impossible ask of a professional.
The fact of the matter is we released him so he was free to do what he liked. I wouldn’t tell an ex girlfriend who she can or can’t go out with. Once we split up her business is her own and the same goes for Hargreaves.
Saying that I can totally understand the anger directed towards him, he knew what he was doing signing for them so if he is boo’ed, and it is likely he will be, it will be as a result of his actions.
But what do you think? Are you angry at Hargreaves for joining Man City
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Tags: Owen Hargreaves
Posted in Blogs | Comments (44)
Man Utd News 24/7
August 30th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Err, Etihad Stadium please…..
Play for the Rags for free ??? ha ha ha..
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:38 am
Cant see him wanting to do that for your bunch. Ones trash is another’s treasure and all that lark. Enjoy our shit, Shitty!
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jose Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:55 am
It doesn’t bother me that City have taken another player SAF doesn’t want, Always wanted to see him back in a united shirt, but I’m fed up waiting. By the looks of things sitting players in front of the back four isn’t the way Fergie wants to do it. Playing 3 DMFs is more for City. Just cos he’s jogging on a treadmill on youtube doesn’t give me any confidence he’l make it back to the field any time soon. but glad to see city taking up the costs for him.
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August 30th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
You are a dummy how is he being disloyal, we released him. If you got let go by burger king would you feel bad about going to mcdonalds for a JOB!!!! no so quiet you absolute wool.
Would have hated to see you when Rooney nearly got of to em.
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:43 am
Tevez wound a few people up. Lets face it when it comes to City allot of people are willing to throw a lot of respect and honour out the window. You have to understand something here Gary, each player understands what it means to the fans when they switch to a rival team. After all the stuff that has come out his own mouth himself about the fans, and then for him to turn around and do something that he knows will upset those same fans he spoke of and who worshiped him is a tad bit disloyal. No?
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August 30th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
I disagree a little with the article… surely wba,or spurs would of been better for a man who has spent 3 years on the sidelines, earning a fortune for doing nothing…. surely he wants to be playing regular first team football in the latter years of his career? Although, as points in this state, The bitters are an attractive proposition at the moment, and its ideal for him as he already lives in the area… I can’t wish him luck, as I’ve supported him for 3 years, making contributions that helped pay his wagrs, and he’s given nothing in return in that time. But I don’t hate him, because the move might just make sense for him…. and because of that free-kick against Arsenal!!
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Chudi Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Then in that case Michael Owen shouldn’t have signed for us! A player of his quality deserves to play at the highest level.
In the same boat as you, not going to wish him luck per se but won’t wish injuries on him like some either!
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red mick Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
well when you put it like that…..!!! Even with no knees he’s better than Barry, so I guess i’m just frustrated, coz you just know he’ll end up being injury free this season now….
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paul Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
red mick is a bit of a bell end methinks
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red mick Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
keyboard warrior alert… no-one cares what you think!
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BLUE NOSE Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
yes RED MICK is deffo a BELL END !
McfcGuvnors Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:35 am
Yess me also thinks red Mick is a bellend CTID
Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:47 am
I just don’t get why MCFC fans love MUFC so much. Clearly you are just not worthy so why bother?
red mick Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Yeah definite bell-end… for giving his views on a forum for his club… obsessed much, Curly Watts wannabe’s? Shame you wernt all this vocal at wembley….
August 30th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
i am not angry, i am disappointed
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August 30th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
No way diblis you cant use the disapointed parent line on him thats harsh
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McfcGuvnors Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:44 am
Hi jim, just wondering how long it takes you to get from your home in london to your team in Manchester, sorry Salford . Cheers jim
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jose Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:27 am
Mayb Man city havin no supporters in London explains why they can’t half fill their allocation down their, even for games against Chelsea and Arsenal, too tight to get a bus? Obviously those couple hundred are the supporters Nasri went to City for. LFMAO, bla bla bla its not the money its the great supporters, JOKE.
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red mick Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Just wondering how bitter you have to be, to hide behind your computer screen in the early hours of the morning trying to insult another clubs fans on their own forum? THE CITY IS YOURS,THE CITY IS YOUUURRRSSSSSS, 20,000 EMPTY SEATS…. ARE YOU FUCKING SURE
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August 30th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
oh i heard sumut bout his injuries being in his head any1 knw anytin bout it
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August 30th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
I am a long time fan of OH and wish him the best except when he plays the Team.
Why did Sir Alex refuse to accept his offer of play for pay? If he is now healthy, he would have been ideal sitting in front of our back four.
PITY!
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August 30th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
The wheels have fallen off at the swamp, like rats deserting a sinking ship. How the mighty have fallen.
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French M Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
You sir are an idiot!
How can the rats be deserting a sinking ship if
A.) WE released him on a free even when he offered to play for free
B.) We just won our 19th League title and were in our 3rd CL final in 4 years
Keep going after our cast offs sir, like boasting about stealing my bird but in reality you simply kissed her after she gave me a blow job.
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:34 am
Mate don’t entertain him. Clearly wishful thinking. All you have to do is take one look at City and it is clearly evident they are just a bunch over paid re hashing of mainly Manchester United and a little bit of Real Madrid. No culture, no heritage, no class. Etihad my arse!
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jose Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:32 am
Nasri offered to play for less at united, OH offered to play for free, but to play for City they need £200,000 per week, yea they really want to play for City, After all they won a Cup.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:32 am
Not angry but I hope he gives City more of the same as his final 2 years at United. All promise and no product. Tugging on every fans heart strings, leading them on. Then BAM retires with a overweight bank balance and not once ever having to enter the pitch on match day.
Good Luck Hargo!
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August 31st, 2011 at 12:52 am
i think you will find that all football contracts are guaranteed. United couldn’t cancel his contract if they wanted to. So don’t act like they are some righteous club and were doing him a favour.
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jose Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:36 am
didn’t cancel it just didn’t renew it for good reason.
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William Boland Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:50 am
That is not what I am saying. The article states that other clubs would have cancelled his contract with all the injuries. United could not do it without paying up his contract in full. The writer was trying to make it look like United are a gracious club with unbeatable loyalty. Ask Roy Keane if that is the case.
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Chudi Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Mike Grella just had his contract cancelled at Leeds, under circumstance I’m sure you’ll find they can be – Management
William Boland Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I think you will find that they will have to have settled his contract in full, unless he agreed to have it cancelled for less.
August 31st, 2011 at 2:58 am
Hargreaves is a great footballer, and these are the reasons why United fans should be upset that he is at City
1) City are not just derby rivals, they are an arab oil sugar daddy pet project, and represent everything that is wrong with the modern game. This isn’t 1973
2)Hargo wants to play regular football and bring his name back up. City clearly doesn’t offer that straight up. He will be a squad player. perhaps he actually does want to just play the odd game or two
3)He knows full well what it means to leave United for City, and he was a United fan as a kid.
4) he earnt 11.2 million pounds since August 2008. I think he’s doing alright for himself. Other clubs could have offered him a decent wage too. Clearly City offered the most and that’s helped to push him there
He’s made the choice, and he could have been a United cult hero in spite of his injuries and departure, but now that he’s off to city, he will never been appreciated in the same light. c’est la vie. that’s how it is, if people don’t agree with that reality they are being hypocritical, or they just don’t get football
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August 31st, 2011 at 3:47 am
“City are not just derby rivals, they are an arab oil sugar daddy pet project, and represent everything that is wrong with the modern game.”
Which makes the Glazers?
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jose Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:46 am
What have united won since the Glazers took over at united in 2005?? 4 league titles, 3 league cups, 4 community shields, 1 champions league, 1 club world cup, Total 13. In the same period (and I had to google this) City won 1 (one) FA cup. I can see how what the glazers are doing can be seen to be wrong.
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:39 am
Forget what they did after the glazers its the 5 years before the glazers that really does it. United was always titles or were genuin contenders. City were well. Lets just not.
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:40 am
were winning*
August 31st, 2011 at 5:20 am
He offered to play for free and we declined for HIS best interest. We told him he did not want to do that and the club felt like they would be taking advantage of him. Still be a little betrayed though
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August 31st, 2011 at 5:40 am
We paid to get his fitness up when he was in the treatment room for the best part of 4 years in the belief that he was going to play for us again..
Oh well. players come and go. we just have to continue our winning ways. he has to continue earning a living.
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August 31st, 2011 at 7:12 am
I thought, as a blue, the article was actually quite balanced and made a lot of sense, it’s where the comments begin it goes a bit tits up. The loss of your player to us has whipped up somewhat a bit of a frothing frenzy it would seem, with the usual vitriol and bile pouring out (we’re a club with no history, we’re an oil rich sugar daddy plaything- the usual tedious shite).
The reality of it is that Hargreaves is a quality player but obviously has a lot to prove. We are looking to sign him on a short-term deal on a pay-as-you-play basis. He has a wealth of experience at the levels we are now pushing at, and with the African Nations Cup in January – cover for Yaya Toure is available. Far from signing for money, the deal makes sens to City and it makes sense to Hargreaves- a man with something to prove, but if he doesn’t it’s no loss to us.
It is nice to hear there is much hatred and bile coming from you lot, particularly over something so benile – it’s a big compliment and proof the noisy neighbours are cranking up the volume day-by-day.
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Yosh Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:42 am
I think it’s a bit naive to think Hargreaves can cover Yaya Toure.. dare I say it thats actually a compliment.
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August 31st, 2011 at 8:18 am
The haters are daft! Good luck to him, no hard feelings, though I’ll be surprised if City give him a game. He would get games elsewhere if he was prepared to be more modest in his ambitions after such a long lay off.
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September 1st, 2011 at 8:00 am
good luck Hargreaves …. and thanks for your services…..
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September 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 am
I’ve always respected Owen, but as a Canadian I’ve always had a little disappointment towards him for not playing for the country he was born and raised in. This situation is similar in that though I understand the reasons; it doesn’t mean I like them.
I guess you could say he is going for maximum ambition. Pragmatically though, he’ll likely be playing alongside another defensive and/or holding mid giving him much less responsibility than he had with us, or would’ve going to any other PL club he had an offer for. In terms of starts, he’ll be relied on much less too. When you look at it, the ambition lies in joining City than the other clubs that offered in terms of City’s higher status; but for him personally though, it reveals less ambition because less is expected and needed of him.
Stay healthy, but that’s about all I can wish.
As a side note, I don’t think the girlfriend metaphor is too apt as “she” isn’t just going out with anyone. The whole point is not that he joined another club, but joined City. It’s more like a girlfriend who decided to date your own (ugly) brother inspite of offers from other more detached suitors.
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September 2nd, 2011 at 6:19 am
a few years back i would have been really angry but now I mature enough to understand that for these players playing is a job first.
Players come and go. What remains behind is the club and the fans.
I dont think that I forgive Owen or understand his position. I simply donot care anymore.
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