Should Hargeaves Be In Manchester United’s 25-Man-Squad?
Sir Alex Ferguson spent a good year to secure the signature of Canadian born Englishman Owen Hargreaves, after a very impressive World Cup where he was voted best English player at the tournament.
He even throw away a chance to sign Villarreal midfielder Marco Senna who just a year later would be the focal point in Spain’s European Championship win, just to sign the bustling and energetic midfielder.
GREAT BUSINESS
Signing the midfielder in May 2007 looked to be great business, and it proved to be as Owen was a key member in United’s victorious 2007/2008 campaign which would see them not only retain their Premier League crown, but also see them bring back the European Cup after nine years of frustration after the momentous win in Barcelona in 1999.
Owen started and scored in the penalty shootout against Chelsea in the Champions League final, also scoring pivotal goals in victories against Arsenal and Fulham.
DISASTER
Going into the 2008/2009 campaign yet again Owen would be one of United key players in the quest of retaining their trophies at home and abroad.
However, in November 2008 Owen who had been having constant troubles with his knee, was forced to have an operation and in the process was sidelined for the rest of the 08/09 season. Going into the 2009/10 season, Ferguson speculated a return for Owen by October, which was then delayed to January, which eventually turned out to be a brief 30 seconds cameo in the 1-0 defeat of Sunderland in May 2010.
Fans were looking forward to seeing Owen back in action in the 2010/11 season. However, disaster struck again when it was announced Owen knee had flared up again, which led to him staying in the USA, to be treated by Dr. Richard Steadman who had treated the midfielder when he had surgery in 2008.
NEW REGULATIONS
With the new Premier League ruling that clubs can only use a 25-man-squad for the Premiership season, it is fair to say Sir Alex has a big decision to make!
If he chooses to leave out Hargreaves, it might eradicate any spirit the 29-year-old might have. If he decides to put Owen in the squad, then in turn could be a waste of a spot if he fails to recover before January.
Should Fergie put Owen in the squad? Or does he leave him out and sign Steven Defour? Skysports.com had published that Manchester United still have a big interest in the Belgium play-maker.
Topics: Manchester United, Owen Hargreaves
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It’s not fair to say. By my count MUFC have 23 players over the age of 21, not including Hargreaves. There’s no problem with including him.
Furthermore, I’m certain Hargreaves is fully aware that he won’t play in the Premier League before January when then squads can be changed.
August 31st, 2010 @ 13:04As the other comment says. This is a non-story really. I have no idea why SAF has made the statement, but there is no reason for OH to be excluded. We do not have enough over-21 year old squad players to exclude him. It would be a pointless exercise in spite, or clear indication that he has no future whatsoever at the club, if he were left out when we can include him without any problems.
August 31st, 2010 @ 15:51I am a big fan of Owen’s and therefore YES he should be included, after all we don’t have all that many over 25 years old. Owen is a champion and by adding him it will encourage him to come back as good or better than ever.
September 1st, 2010 @ 09:24Tbf it’s not as if man united will miss him for 4 months untill the squad can be changed in august. They have a wealth of world class midfielders who would ALL walk into any premier league team (apart from maybe Chelsea but they suck anyway.) Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs and even O’shea can perform his holding role satisfactorily to beat most teams in the world. Also including him in the 25 man squad would mean leaving out Obertan or Fabio, who would add much more to the squad then a cripple. And will gain experience.
September 1st, 2010 @ 14:02