Alex Ferguson labels Owen Hargreaves signing a 'disaster' after bitter end to midfielder's Manchester United career
England international hailed as Roy Keane's successor accused of having no self-belief or the character to overcome injuries
Owen Hargreaves was among
the "most disappointing signings’’ of Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial
career, the former Manchester United boss claims.
Canada-born Hargreaves may appear an unlikely figure to be in Fergie’s cross-hairs.
But the former England midfielder is on the receiving end of one of the most surprisingly venomous passages contained in My Autobiography.
Manchester United trumpeted Hargreaves’ signing in a £17million deal from Bayern Munich in July 2007.
He was hailed, by Ferguson and others, as the man to fill the gaping void left by Roy Keane and played a massive part as United lifted the title and Champions League in 2008.
Yet by the time Hargreaves left three injury-plagued years later, he was accusing United’s medical team of treating him like a "guinea pig’’.
Hargreaves, now a BT Sport pundit, claimed United left him in a "shit position’’ and that Ferguson forced him to play at Wolves in November 2010 even though he was not fit.
Hargreaves lasted just five minutes in what turned out to be his final appearance for the club.
But Ferguson has let fly with a fusillade aimed at blowing Hargreaves’ reputation to smithereens, with absolutely no holds barred.
The Scot reveals that, even before completing the signing of Hargreaves, his antennae began twitching.
Ferguson now reports that he felt unease when talking to Hargreaves, that "there was something about him I didn’t like’’ and that he had ignored his own instincts by pushing ahead with the deal.
According to Ferguson, it was a signing that was to prove a "disaster’’, with Hargreaves accused of having no self-belief or strength of character to beat his physical adversity.
"I saw him opt for the easy choice too often,’’ carped Ferguson, who admits that when Hargreaves was fit, his contribution was more than good enough but that he simply did not play enough.
As for the Wolves allegations, Ferguson suggests he could have sued Hargreaves on behalf of the club but that it was United’s club doctor who decided it was not worthwhile pursuing the suit.
Hargreaves’ claims are dismissed as nonsense, with the player the one who insisted he should play after telling one of his team-mates he had injured his hamstring in the warm-up.
His parting shot is brutal.
"We did the best for that lad,’’ insisted Ferguson. "No matter what the staff did for him. He created his own agenda.’’
Canada-born Hargreaves may appear an unlikely figure to be in Fergie’s cross-hairs.
But the former England midfielder is on the receiving end of one of the most surprisingly venomous passages contained in My Autobiography.
Manchester United trumpeted Hargreaves’ signing in a £17million deal from Bayern Munich in July 2007.
He was hailed, by Ferguson and others, as the man to fill the gaping void left by Roy Keane and played a massive part as United lifted the title and Champions League in 2008.
Yet by the time Hargreaves left three injury-plagued years later, he was accusing United’s medical team of treating him like a "guinea pig’’.
Hargreaves, now a BT Sport pundit, claimed United left him in a "shit position’’ and that Ferguson forced him to play at Wolves in November 2010 even though he was not fit.
Hargreaves lasted just five minutes in what turned out to be his final appearance for the club.
But Ferguson has let fly with a fusillade aimed at blowing Hargreaves’ reputation to smithereens, with absolutely no holds barred.
The Scot reveals that, even before completing the signing of Hargreaves, his antennae began twitching.
Ferguson now reports that he felt unease when talking to Hargreaves, that "there was something about him I didn’t like’’ and that he had ignored his own instincts by pushing ahead with the deal.
According to Ferguson, it was a signing that was to prove a "disaster’’, with Hargreaves accused of having no self-belief or strength of character to beat his physical adversity.
"I saw him opt for the easy choice too often,’’ carped Ferguson, who admits that when Hargreaves was fit, his contribution was more than good enough but that he simply did not play enough.
As for the Wolves allegations, Ferguson suggests he could have sued Hargreaves on behalf of the club but that it was United’s club doctor who decided it was not worthwhile pursuing the suit.
Hargreaves’ claims are dismissed as nonsense, with the player the one who insisted he should play after telling one of his team-mates he had injured his hamstring in the warm-up.
His parting shot is brutal.
"We did the best for that lad,’’ insisted Ferguson. "No matter what the staff did for him. He created his own agenda.’’
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