Owen Hargreaves To Manchester United?
When I wrote last month that Manchester United should consider Owen Hargreaves as a holding midfielder, it was more as a cheap alternative to the over-priced Diarras, Mascheranos, Cambiassos and Carricks we were being linked with.
Now, I’m positive that Manchester United should make a move for Hargreaves.
Manchester United’s search for midfielders has led them to bidding $15 million pounds for Michael Carrick - at least $5 million too high, and then Carrick is not your traditional ball-winner. His strengths lie in his passing ability, and while United need such a player they need a direct replacement for Keano first.
Of all the players linked to United (and I’m talking ball-winners, not creative midfielders like Riquelme and Ribery), Hargreaves is the one who has the most chance of coming to Old Trafford. He’s part of the England setup, he’s stated his desire to play in the Premiership “if the offer and terms were right” (which has always meant that he wanted to play in the top 4 clubs with a guarantee of being in the first team) and the climate will suit him as well.
While I’d love to see a player like Mascherano in United colors, the chances of the Corinthians letting him go (and of United paying such a high price for him) are remote. South American players traditionally prefer the Italian and Spanish leagues (a pity really), with the climate and language being important considerations.
Cambiasso and Gattuso are also talked about as potential replacements, but they are bound to be more expensive and less inclined to play in the Premiership. Gattuso in particular would be an excellent buy but I doubt that he would come to United willingly (and if Milan were to sell him Madrid and Barca would bid $20 mil for him without a second thought). Then we have Diarra, who has enjoyed a couple of excellent seasons for Lyon. Diarra is over-priced. Ok, let me rephrase that - Diarra is an excellent midfielder for whom Lyon is holding out for the maximum amount of money possible. That means a bidding war with Madrid, and United would not want to get into that.
I also talked about Stephen Appiah (Micheal Essien’s Ghanian teammate and captain) as a possible replacement, but Ferguson is looking for a player who is proven at the top level in Europe and Appiah does not fit that requirement.
All roads point to Owen Hargreaves. It’s not that we should rate him on just one excellent performance - but on his experience, his time playing for Bayern Munich and in the Champions League, and the speed with which he adapted to his role in the England lineup, especially after being entrusted with a starting berth. The fact that he was getting forward ahead of Gerrard and Joe Cole was a telling reminder of his commitment and effort.
What’s more, the hard-tackling midfielder could solve United’s biggest problem…
The bottom line is, will Ferguson see the light and bid for the Bayern Munich midfielder? The pre-season starts today and Ferguson’s return to Old Trafford will mark a renewal of United’s efforts to sign at least two midfielders (Hargreaves and Carrick?), a possible replacement for RVN (if he’s sold - a swap for Hargreaves maybe?), and with Ronaldo admitting the links to Real Madrid, a winger as well (Simao has been linked - and he would be a great addition as well).
My vote’s for Hargreaves. What about you?
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I allways thaught that hargreaves was great. He runs nore than anyone on the pitch. And he has got great temper.. He’s a really tough guy. He doesn’t look ´like it but he is. -he reminds me a lot of Gabi Heinze. I think he would be a great signing, but i don’t think he (buy himself) could really clinch it, like keano. We need another one as well. maybe he would be greater with a carrick on his side? And as fare as Ronaldo goes. We don’t need a player whos a disgrace to everything Man U stands for. but anyway, Simao could never replace him. I would actually like to see Beckham back in a red shirt ? Maybe we could swap him ?
I’m all for Hargreaves but my guess now is that he’s not all that “cheap” of an alternative.He was excellent against Sweden also and was easily England’s best player for the World Cup when he actually got on the pitch.
My guess is that there will be a lot of interest in Mr. Hargreaves all of a sudden.
Hargreaves would be my ideal choice. He’s proven and Bayern Munich think of him very highly. He has the heart and the mentality to be a Utd player, unlike certain players from the warmer climates (with the sole exception of Gabby Heinze - he epitomises everything Utd are about and should be about…) who might be better suited for the glam life of the Metropolis down South or indeed the softer leagues of Spain or Italy). Ronaldo is a great talent and may (or may not) become eventually one of the world’s greatest players, but he just doesn’t have Utd at heart - he’s not a fan like RVN, Ole, Keano, Schmeichel, Eric the Great etc…
Hargreaves is humble, strong, has a great character and a fabulous desire to do well for the team, I’m almost convinced that he would relish in the spirit and the mystique of OT and the Reds. Thumbs up for definite!!!
Ronaldo seems to think he’s greater than Utd… he will only realise what he could have become when he has left for good… I can’t imagine his name being sung from the terraces of OT after he’s gone… nor will he ever experience the true adulation by the world’s most critical fan’s bestwed upon true legends…
Can anyone name One player who has ever left Utd and actually bettered himself???
To Vince:
Can anyone name One player who has ever left Utd and actually bettered himself???
That question is a bit rhetoric as utd are not a selling club. Nor have they ever needed to be. We only get rid of players once their performances diminish and we need fresh blood. This usually happens when players are past their peak.
But I could mention one. Johnny Giles. He ran things at Leeds when he left Utd.
Jaap Stam maybe too. He proved that he was not ‘losing his pace’ as fergie said..
There are some players that should never have left OT.. Keano, Beckham, Stam. But they crossed Fergie and that was that.
HARGREAVES AND RIQUELME IN. KEEP RUUD.SHOWPONY OUT.
Yeah man Hargreaves should go to Man Utd he is EXACTLY the type of player we need. It was the right time for Keane to go. He no longer had the legs for the game although obviously it is a shame that it was done in that way.
I think RVN shoul go, Ron is a bit young and naive, withh guidance, I think he will stay at OT.
how is this fo a line up.
Rooney,Torres,Ribery,Hargreaves,Scholes,Ronaldo,heinze,Juan,Ferdinand,Neville, van der sar
Think its Formidable?
Mark Hughs too. He left and still came back and did a great job for us. Anyway, I’m quite amazed that people still think that Kean, Beckham, and Stam should have stayed. Kean has already retired and Beckham’s performance, particularly at the WC (except for the freekick) has been poor. Stam got into some doping mass after he left us. RVN hasn’t been performing too and the WC has proven it as well.
ya.. hargreaves is the man for united.. v need a holding player… smith was pretty gud.. but he is a striker… hargreaves should be donning the red this season
World class defensive mid that can go forward when needed, swap deal 4 the donkey ruud with Bayern, hes got the legs to support scholesy cos hes gettin on abit, if bayern dont wont the donkey which i doubt they will we shud be able to get Hargreaves for about 10 mill, which is a bargain for the FUTURE ENGLAND CAPTAIN!!!!!!!!
Hargreaves and Riquelme , you can’t go wrong.
The three transfers i would like to see for united are Owen Hargreaves, Ferrnando Torres and Andrea Pirlo. If United could get all those players i think we could do very well this season.
Colin stop talking bull Beckham’s performance at the world cup was a good one but the best performance from an england player was Hargreaves and i think Joe Cole also played well.
Colin,
I wasn’t talking about Beckham at this world cup. I was talking about when he left utd. He was the fittest player at the club. Lethal at free kicks (something Ronaldo thinks he is great at and obviously isn’t) and was a lethal passer. Stam was not losing his speed. He stupid put in his biography that fergie tapped him up.
Keano.. Maybe.. He wasn’t the player he was in the past. But what a Utd legend he is. I was just disgusted at his treatment after all he had done. Yes he was criticising the players a lot, but can you blame him!? The were not earning their astronomical wages. Keane the other hand, deserved every penny. Rio out for a year after ‘forgetting’ about the test. Then he bends Utd over a barrel for a new contract!!!
You can’t give a player like Keane that much influence at a club and then try to control him later.
Owen hargreaves was England’s best player At The World cup 2006.
Although England Have the best Players that every team wish they had like
S.Gerrard
O.Hargreaves
W.Rooney
N’ More..
They aren’t really used to each other..They need a good coach and Hard Training…They can do much better
& Still England Are THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD
i think Owen Hargreaves is the best man to replace the legendary Keano.we must get the man for United, he is fantastic and effective. I also think Fergie should have some look at Didier Zokora, the man is just superb as the holding midfielder.
sign nolan and parker instead….can get a few good goals along the way! MU rocks!
Dudes, this is a simple quest : here where i live, Sout Americas, it is simple as driking water the quest of finding good players…
We shall advice them to buy “Alexandre Pato” 17 years old super foward…
We have “Lucas”: cheaper and more effective than Hargreaves.
Lads, its just a matter of searching on the right place.
its better to buy kaka’ to manchester united, he can maintain a good midfield with carrick and scholes . And sorin of argentina is better defender who cannot beat by anyone in epl. and i like the forward line of manchester united and they can improve now also .
as gamst said that its better to get kaka’ to man united they can improve they midield accuracy . i also support that . more over i can say that riquelme is also a good player who can lead the man united in future . and i dnt satisfied with the playing of richardson
Sorin?
Don’t make me laugh.
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