True Love Waits …
An intriguing sub-plot to the season so far, is United’s continuing love affair with Owen Hargreaves.
The relationship began in mid-summer when Sir Alex was stirred by the player’s performances at England’s unfulfilling World Cup party. The two seemed made for each other. United’s need for an experienced holding player was well known. Hargreaves’ desire for an English partner after nine years in Bavaria was equally well-documented.
Sir Alex made eyes at Hargreaves who returned the gaze with a blush and a come hither smile. Fergie thought he was on a promise and moved in. Hargreaves, flattered and flushed with adoration, gave the United boss every encouragement to keep on doing what felt so good. Both player and manager emerged giggling and smiling from a private ‘discussion’ at Old Trafford when England played Greece in August. It was love! In football newspaper speak, it was a ‘tap up.’
The Teutons then intervened to bring the romance to a halt. Turning their noses up at the sight of £17 m in a suitcase nearby, the Bavarians declared the English suitor out of bounds. Hargreaves was not to speak to United and Sir Alex was not to contact him again or the FIFA police would be called.
Sir Alex was heartbroken and couldn’t force himself to take up a date with a Brazilian he also fancied. The heart wants what the heart wants, Chief Executive David Gill sobbed into a BBC Radio microphone, before adding that Sir Alex hoped to ‘consummate’ a relationship with Hargreaves later in the year.
Hargreaves remained excited at the thought of finally being welcomed into the Old Trafford embrace. Alas, fate intervened to have still more fun at the expense of the amorous couple. In a run-of-the-mill league match, Hargreaves suffered a serious leg injury. ‘We think he may have a broken fibula,’ Bayern coach Felix Magath explained. ‘If those fears are realised, Hargreaves faces a considerable spell on the sidelines.’
Reports suggest Hargreaves could return to action within 10 weeks. The injury lay-off has not stopped the 25 year old England international from addressing the theme of joining United.
‘I’ve said what I would have liked to happen and obviously it didn’t happen and I think it’s important if you have an opinion that you stick to it even though you might receive some criticism here and from the club,’ he said. ‘What happens in the future it’s not really down to me. You saw that in the summer and I’m looking forward to when I go on the pitch doing well and playing well because these things all started from me playing well as a footballer. Hopefully I can do that and we will see where my path leads.’
United hope that path leads to Salford. The Daily Express reported Sir Alex as answering ‘Hargreaves and Makalele’ to a question about which players he covets most. Earlier this month, the manager confirmed that United remained interested in the defensive midfielder despite Bayern’s rebuff. ‘There is a possibility we could pursue the transfer again at some point,’ he said.
At first glance, Sir Alex’s intention seems well advertised. The hiding received against Arsenal must have deepened the manager’s wish to bring in a player with the zest and experience to add more authority and bite to United’s midfield.
However, other factors could affect the outcome of the Hargreaves transfer saga. The result of United’s away match at Benefica is of pivotal importance, because it will surely have a huge bearing on United’s European ambitions this season. If the winter transfer window opens with United already assured entry into the next stages of the Champions League, Sir Alex may well be tempted to recruit players who will be able to contribute to the club’s Euro adventure. Hargreaves played in Bayern’s opening match against Spartak Moscow and would be ineligible for European duty at a new club.
If United found Bayern stubbornly resistant in the summer, how much more wrathful will the German champions be if Hargreaves tries to leave in December after sitting on the sidelines for 10 weeks, his wages paid by the club? The bad blood and the complications are barely imaginable.
Equally, as the season enters its crucial phase, would United wish to take a player who has just returned from a broken leg? As a prized asset, Hargreaves will surely benefit from the best available medical care . But as Wayne Rooney’s post-injury poor form has shown, even a complete rehabilitation does not always mean the return of match fitness and sharpness.
It must be remembered that injury is not always a bar to joining United, as the transfer of Ruud van Nistelrooy to United five years ago proves. United might be willing to take such a risk if Sir Alex orients his team towards domestic success. The presence of a fit and motivated Hargreaves would boost United’s Premiership and FA Cup efforts.
United’s courtship of Owen Hargreaves is likely to continue. But as both manager and player must know, the path to true love is long and rarely smooth. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
