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Owen Hargreaves was signed by Manchester United in 2007 but his career was blighted by injury and has since been subject to lethal criticism by Sir Alex Ferguson
Owen Hargreaves responded with grace to Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that he was one of the worst signings of his career.
In 2007, Manchester United acquired the former England star from Bayern Munich for a reported £17million. Hargreaves arrived in England boasting an impressive record, having won four Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy.
He had also been voted England's best player at the 2006 World Cup just a year earlier. His first season at Old Trafford was a triumph, as he helped secure a Premier League and Champions League double, making 34 appearances across all competitions.
Regrettably, this would be the last full season of Hargreaves' career due to persistent patellar tendinitis, which effectively ended his time in football. Despite numerous knee surgeries, they did little to facilitate a hopeful return to the pitch.
Hargreaves made only five more appearances over the next three seasons at United before being released in 2011. He then signed with Manchester City for one season, during which he played four times before retiring from football after his release from the club.
In his autobiography, Ferguson expressed regret over signing Hargreaves, criticising the player's lack of self-belief. "We started to put together a bid for him. But I studied his playing record and felt a tinge of doubt. I didn't feel a strong vibe about him. David Gill worked hard on the deal with Bayern," the Scotsman penned.
"I met Owen's agent at the World Cup final in Berlin. Nice man, a lawyer. I told him we could develop Hargreaves at United. It turned out to be a disaster. Owen had no confidence in himself whatsoever.
"He didn't show nearly enough determination to overcome his physical difficulties, for my liking. I saw him opt for the easy choice too often in terms of training. He was one of the most disappointing signings of my career."
Despite the stinging criticism from his former manager, Hargreaves responded with grace when given the chance to comment, suggesting a private conversation would be more appropriate than a public airing of their grievances.
"It's a complicated one. Anyone who knows me knows that professionalism is one of my strongest traits. A lot of people were surprised by what he said, me included. He said a lot of things in there that were with emotion," Hargreaves shared with BT Sport.
"The reason he brought me over was to win the Champions League and we were able to do that and I played a big part. After the treatment that I had that summer I virtually never played again. For a young player, I was only 27, be at that point in my career and never play again, to have to deal with all of that was very, very difficult.
"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. A lot of relationships break down due to communication. My only regret is that I didn't go to him sooner. But I didn't realise the severity of the situation until it was a little bit too late. The reason I left Bayern was to play for United, it was a privilege to play there.
"It was an honour to play under him. For it to deteriorate like it did was very disappointing. I think it's a conversation me and him need to have personally. I wouldn't wish that situation on anyone." Hargreaves' two former clubs are poised to meet on Sunday in the opening Manchester derby of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
Both sides have endured a woeful beginning to the season, with City suffering back-to-back losses. United's sole triumph has arrived at home against Burnley, thanks to a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes spot-kick.
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