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.
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