He's a man on a mission: Hargreaves driven to prove United and Fergie wrong - Daily Mail

By Matt Lawton and Ian Ladyman

Last updated at 2:19 AM on 31st August 2011

Manchester City being Manchester City, they will  probably not get the credit they deserve for taking a chance on Owen Hargreaves. Money, after all, is no object to them. If they blow a few quid on a crock, what of it?

But that would be unfair when there is still a risk involved for Roberto Mancini. He has to select a 25-man squad like every other manager in the Barclays Premier League and he wants  Hargreaves to be among the names he submits.

Talking to members of the City hierarchy yesterday, they considered it a 'no-brainer'; the chance to sign a major talent for nothing and to recruit a player fiercely determined to succeed after  missing the last three years because of injury.

Give him a chance: Owen Hargreaves looks set to be given an opportunity by Manchester City

It is those injuries that appeared to put off many managers, and not even the interview he gave in these pages on Saturday — when he declared himself healthy, hungry and more than ready to return — could convince them otherwise.

Some may have encountered difficulties when it came to convincing their chief executive or chairman but some most definitely listened to the wrong advice.

Is Hargreaves fit?

Well, West Bromwich Albion made the midfielder two offers after having him examined by their medical staff and City were still keen on Tuesday night after sending him for an intense medical.

But it was not just the state of the body that impressed them; it was the state of the mind.

Internet hit: Owen Hargreaves took to YouTube to prove his fitness

Hargreaves has always been a competitor but here is a player who will be more determined to succeed than any other member of the City dressing room.

A 30-year-old driven by a desire to make up for lost time, win another trophy and prove a few people wrong in the process.

Hargreaves is not the kind of guy to air his grievances in public. What, in his considered opinion, would be the point?

But if he does complete his move to the Etihad Stadium and then force his way into Mancini's side, he will take enormous satisfaction in showing Manchester United that he was worth another go; that, having spent three years fighting to get back on his feet, he deserved another chance.

As he told Sportsmail, he offered to play for  nothing this season and said to Sir Alex Ferguson he would play 40 games. Ferguson, however, responded by telling him it was time to bring through some younger players and those younger players, in fairness to United's manager, have started the season well.

Good times: Owen Hargreaves won the Premier League title with United in 2008

But there might just come a point this season when United could use a player like Hargreaves in the same way they could have used him in those two Champions League finals with Barcelona.

United have missed the ability Hargreaves possesses as a holding midfielder; that ability to pass with precision and fluency but also to protect the back four. Hargreaves, at his best, is a destructive force.

It is why Ferguson paid Bayern Munich 17million for him and why Fabio Capello is said to be so excited by Tuesday's developments.

The England boss has maintained a level of contact with  Hargreaves during his absence and there has been encouragement from his staff to secure the best move.

Bad times: Hargreaves' Manchester United career was hampered by injury problems

It is a long-term ambition of Hargreaves' to return to international football. 

Euro 2012 is his major target and he is sure to be there if he can rediscover the form he produced prior to suffering that serious problem with his patella tendon.  

Now, however, there are more  immediate goals. City wanted a replacement for Patrick Vieira, a winner with maturity and Champions League experience as well as quality, and Hargreaves wants to prove he can be that man.

But he must also have one eye on the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on October 23.
That day, if by then he is in Mancini's team, he will certainly be a man on a mission.

How will he fit in at City...

Is signing an  injury-prone  30-year-old released by your biggest rivals the way forward for a club trying to win the Barclays Premier League?

THE KEY STATS:

Hargreaves featured in only 27 Premier League games after signing for Manchester United in 2007.

He averaged 61 minutes per Premier League match.

He missed 125 Premier League games in his four seasons there.

Hargreaves has earned 42 international caps since making his debut for England in 2001.

87 per cent of his passes at international level were successful, more than Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.

This is a 'win-win' signing for City. The deal being discussed last night is so weighted in City's favour they will lose a relatively small amount if Hargreaves turns out to be incapable of playing regular football. If, on the other hand, he does play 20 or so games this season City feel they will get value for money.

Why didn't they just sign someone like Scott Parker from West Ham?

City manager Roberto Mancini has spent a fair amount of money already this season and his board are wary of falling foul of football's financial fair play guidelines that come into force next year. In short, Mancini has been told his spending for the summer is over. This deal is his way of getting another player for as little money as possible.

How will Hargreaves fit into Mancini's system?

Essentially he will be Nigel de Jong's understudy. Mancini likes to play with a traditional holding midfield player and while De Jong will remain his first choice for the big games, a fit Hargreaves will find himself playing in the FA Cup and some of the less glamorous domestic games.

Hargreaves was released by Manchester United because he was never fit. Has there been a miracle on that front?

Hargreaves still has it all to prove but he underwent a three-hour medical on Tuesday in Manchester and one source told us he was found to be 'in great nick'. If that is the case City may look back on the day they found themselves a bit of a bargain.

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