Planet Soccer

I agree. The 30+ million euros 'Derr Kaiser' is asking for is severely overinflated. Claude Makelele's transfer went only for 16 million and Michael Essien's for 24.4 million, and between these 'twins', one could say both are model defensive holders. However, Alex ferguson is a very shrewd businessman and manager. I believe he's quite aware what a holder of Hargreaves emerging caliber could bring to the Manchester United midfield.

Beckenbauer knows he needs Hargreaves. Quality midfield holders are at a premium in this game it seems, and it looks like he'll make Manchester United pay dearly if they still want him.

But, playng in front of Vidic and Ferdinand, behind Scholes, and servicing Cristiano Ronaldo of all people (remember Makelele and Zidane?), it's quite possible Hargreaves will be a perfect fit with United. Who knows?...maybe Hargreaves will earn his pricetag and become one of the best holders in the game. One thing is for sure - he surely couldn't harm Man U's chances. I'm willing to bet a few pounds myself that Beckenbauer knows this.

I don't know who John Molinara is, but if the arguments that he writes here are any indication, he is clearly another out of touch, unqualified Canadian soccer wanker. The kind that cut Owen Hargreaves from the Canadian youth team. The kind that cut him from the Alberta provincial team. Canadian soccer authorities have a long history of being terribly judges of talent. Molinara is about as qualified to judge world class football as a Scottish goat farmer is to judge the National Hockey league. He is the typical Canadian soccer authority who would rather have Bobby Lenarduzzi select over the hill hacks (all friends of course) to the Canadian team instead of world class footballers like Hargreaves. Instead his type reert to politics and pick their friends and insiders to the team. Owen Hargreaves happens to be about the fittest soccer player in the world. He has lightening speed. He is the type of impact player that a great team can be built upon. He has the ability to completely neutralize opposing strikers and midfielders. He can also score under pressure. In the World cup in front of 100,00 fans and a billion watching on TV, Hargreaves was the lone English player to convert on his penalty.

God Love You Sarah. You hit it right on the money! Molinaro should know better. For every player like Hargreaves who HAD to leave Canada in order to play soccer at any kind of professional level, there's another hundred kids slugging it out in the great white north trying to get some soccer respect. Instead of slamming this guy's ability and wondering whether or not he's worth the money, the real story should be how could we let this guy get away. It seems that as Canadians we love to put down the great ones. Instead of applauding the fact that a Canadian player would be worth $45 million Mr Molinaro is crapping about his abilities. John buddy, just the fact that he's playing world class soccer should make you proud, happy and satisfied.
And it begs the question, how many other players had to leave Canada and play in their parent's home country in order to get field time and training. Come on John, you're figlio d'italiano, how many of your friends went back to play in the old country cuz they weren't getting any respect here?
Our national soccer program is a joke. If you really want to contribute to the elevation of soccer in this country, try writing about how we should improve the national programs. Maybe then we wouldn't be so surprised when our players get the respect and pay they deserve!

I get the point, and be sure, I completly agree. Owen is a type of player you pay no more than (let's say) 20 mln euros. Consider that prices of quality players tend to rise over the years, and some 18-20 milion seem to be a realistic price. However, United is in a position where they either have to be lucky and smart when they are buying, or simply, they have to overpay if the want to beat Chelsea.
When I say lucky and smart, I think Henrick Larsson. Guy didn't cost a peny and he is one of the top 5-6 true forwards in the Premiership despite his age. He gives sharpness and efficiensy to United as much as a 10, or 15 milion-pounds-rated forward would (e.g. Jermaine Defoe). You can make a case that United saved a lot of money by not buying a forward, so now they can overpay a midfielder without much damage to the club's finances. And if it takes 30 milion for a guy who's worth less than 20 just to win the Premiership title, why not? It would pay of even with some extra money if United goes far. Just think how much of a threat will United be in the Champions League with that much dept on every position.
I generaly think that the major issue is whether Hargreaves is healthy, fit, and able to adopt his game. Ferguson certanly wouldn't push that much if he didn't believe that Owen is the right choise. So, yes, he is overrated now, but again, YES, overpaying for him even that much in order to win is definatly the right choice.

I completely agree with you, I've been long following the situation at Manchester regarding Owen Hargreaves and I believe he would be a great asset for us, but the idea that United would fork out 30 million for the midfielder makes me physically ill.

Well done Sarah! I think (hope) John is just trying to stir up some interest on his blog. This is very similar to a sports radia hack taking a ignorant position to produce phone calls to the show. John at best you are over the top and I hope this is what you are trying to do. If you are not...than your statement is just an ignorant assessment of Hargreaves ability. He may not be rated at 30 million euro, but to say, "he’s just a slightly better-than-average player. Nothing more, and nothing less." is a grossly delusional statement. Slightly better that average players start for bottom of the half club teams. They are the not (when healthy) part of the starting 11 for Champions League squads or top 12 national team sides. And further, I think I will give the edge on judging talent to Sir Alex over you John. Give him his due. Curiously John, any bias here?

Dear John,

Were you voted European U21 player of the year?

Did you play in two World Cups by the age of 25?

Did you start for the fifth ranked team in the world in Euro 2004?

Were you named 'man of the match' by the FIFA technical committee in a World Cup quarter final game?

Have you won 4 German Championships, three German Cups, and a UEFA Champions League title?

Well Owen Hargreaves has!!!!, so shut your trap you, you don't know football from your backside, much less a hole in the ground!

What total rubbish. This guy hasn't a clue. Hargreaves is class, and not just because he gets stuck in. He's a great footballer, clever, driven, ambitious, technical, fast and with the right mental toughness for Manchester United. Plus he's got the kind of tough streak that makes him perfectly suited to the Premiership. Would this author care to name someone else like him United should move for? The fact is, there are few players like him available, hence the inflated price. When you buy from a big club like that it's going to be expensive. But he's worth every penny, up to £20m.

Your articles fails to mention that
Hargreaves is c0oveted by the games top coaches.
thus the price escalation and MUFC are always held to ransom.
just happens that the russian obliarch \nesting in west london , pays all ransoms and says
to hell with the consequences.
I concur its a mighty sum of cash, but if
OH is the player United need to complete their new look team then they will have to pay.
btw do you know more abour football
than ferguson and the kaiser ????

red d roger murney naples fl

Owen Hargreaves is a good player, whether he's worth that kind of money or not is really irrelevent, its what somebody is willing to pay. I really see this story as the same side of the coin for two countries, England and Canada. The level of development in Canada is to be charitable abysmel. You really are forced to go to Europe after 16 or so if you want to advance in the game. We are a hockey centric country, that's unfortunate, because we have produced and continue to produce some excellent footballers, but until we develop a viable club system here we're doomed to be exporters of talent, most of which will not come back.

Having said that, what is England's problem with developing football talent? You want to slam Hargreaves, how about Lampard or Gerrard, neither of which is exactly a game breaking talent. England is simply not producing home grown talent to match its appetite for the game. Perhaps a little more investment at the development stage of youth football in England would serve Sir Alex and the rest better.

Ok, 30 million pounds is a lot of money to pay for any player period, but this seems to be the current trend in football now with large clubs inflating transfer fees. But John, I seriously think that your accessment of Owen as "just a slightly better-than-average player. Nothing more, and nothing less." is a bit misguided. Now I know you probably only turn on your TV when a Serie A match is on, or I guess Serie B now that Juve have been punished. But if you actually watched a few Bayern Munich matches you would see that Owen is far from just average. Owen is a tough and aggressive holding midfielder who is able to change the flow of the game and quickly move Bayern on the attack. Owen is a valuable player for Bayern which is why they have put this enormous amount of money out for him. They don't want to lose a player of Owens' ability unless they come out far ahead in the long run. I do believe Sir Alex will try very hard to get Owen as he would be a great fit for his midfield, especially with Michael Carricks lacklustre form this season. So John, yes I think we all agree that 30 million is alot to ask for Owen Hargreaves or any player, but that goes to show that a big club like Bayern obviously feel that he is not just "a slightly better-than-average player", but an extremely valuable player!

I don't think there is any disputing that the price Beckenbauer is offering Hargreaves at is inflated. Bayern knows that Man U and other clubs want him so it is a good business move to start the price high. They've seen what SAF payed for Michael Carrick and have to think Hargreaves is worth more then that with this experience.

As for saying Hargreaves is slightly better then average, I would say this is completely wrong. Hargreaves has been a starter for years on one of the top clubs in the world and the experience he's garnered at the domestic, international, and European cup compeititions in invaluable and there are few 25 year old mid-fielders with that breadth of experience.

John Molinaro clearly doesn't understand the sport he covers. Not the first bit of proof either - I don't think there's anyone other than him who thinks the Italy penalty against Australia was the right call.

Owen Hargreaves might well be the best holding midfielder in the world. It's an underappreciated art, the holding midfielder: it requires skill, boldness in two directions, leadership and resolve. There are practically no truly famous holding midfielders, but the good ones are coveted by every manager.

The money in sport is always ridiculous, so that barely matters. What we do know is that top clubs in the world are fighting over Hargreaves, desperate to get or keep him. They clearly understand their sport, unlike our friend Molinaro.

Consider this if you are Sir Alex... A move for Owen secures the future as much as it does the present. At 26, he is entering his prime while lads like Giggs and Scholes, although in some of their best ever form, will certainly not be around in 2-3 yeras time. With his tempermant, work ethic and fitness, Owen could conceivably plug that perverbial hole in United's midfield for 7-8 more years at a very high level! So, for 20M quid this seems a small price to pay, considering Jose forked out 30M for Sheva and he's scored, what? 3 times? Instead of splashing out 20-30M for 2-3 mediocre alternatives, the surcharge seems acceptable. Adding Owen to the mix with the likes of Rooney, Ro Ro, and Carrick solidifies the club's foundation. He is the kind of team player that would fit in remarkably well and I think we could one day see Owen wearing Keano's armband. Sounds like Sir Alex is on to something! Regardless of price, it seems United have found their man.

I'm glad to see that most of these comments are in agreement with each other. This helps to show that soccer coverage is not one of the CBC's fortes. Hopefully, well written responses such as these will help encourage the CBC to contract better talent. Soccer is the best sport in the world, and the CBC is the best news organization in the world. This should be a good marriage.

Be fair. I think Hargreaves should have played for Canada as well but no one can deny that he is a very, very good soccer player. No, he is not worth 30 million euros. No soccer player is. But since these crazy Russian billionaires came over here (the UK) and started buying soccer clubs instead of luxury jet planes and Rolls Royces, they have pushed the players' transfer prices higher and higher. It hasn't quite ruined the game yet but it has certainly taken away any serious competition between most clubs.

First off, This blog is on the CBC website and we are suprised that the writer knows nothing about soccer? When was the last time CBC showed a soccer game on air? I cannot recall once. Instead let's put on air shows that no one in their right mind will/would watch like Pit Pony or Cold Squad or any other lame Canadian Television show. I have done the reasrch but I am pretty sure the only reason people tune into the CBC is for HNIC and the simpsons. Maybe if you showed a match or two CBC might not be constantly using our tax dollars to stay affloat and the government could actually re-invest (haha sorry invest, seeing how they have never started)in some soccer fields or coaching development. You cannot spit without hitting a baseball diamond on the east coast but you look at New Brunswick and there is only one (1) turf field for the whole province even though soccer almost quadruples the participation level of baseball.

Back to the issue at hand, I have seen him live in Germany and in Portugal for England and each time he has been the best player on the field for either team. He may not be worth 30 (mostly because I don't think anyone is) but if you are going to pay 15 for Carrick he is worth at least 22.

Cheers

What makes any body think that this Canadian
sports writer knows anything about real
football(Its not soccer.)
Stick to Ice Hockey Johnny Cunuck!

I think Don and Denny have it right. For Manchester to take move forward and compete against Chelsea and Arsenal for future titles, they can't be signing decent players who will stop the gap. They've got to get world class players, and no position is as important as midfield. Is 20 million pounds a lot? Of course, but for an established star that's the going rate. If he was only worth 10 or 15 million Bayern would have sold him in the summer.

I think that's the proof in the pudding - Bayern's one of the world's top clubs, and they've fought to keep him despite being offered boatloads of money that would have purchased five "slightly better than average players".

In addition, there's a certain surcharge for being a Sir Alex type of midfield man, and Hargreaves fits the bill, as expensive as it might seem to a soccer writer who thinks in nhl economic terms

I think it discusting the amounts of money these players are deemed to be "worth". Why not pay every player a basic $200,000.00 annual salary plus extra fees earned and received for goals scored or assisted? If Nike wants to give them an extra $197 trillion...good on 'em.

I have to agree with all of those that disagree with this article. I watched the World Cup last summer and was amazed at the sheer stupidity of the England team, their shining light throughout that tournament wasn't Gerrard or Beckham..it was Hargreaves. Before that tournament he was thought not to be good enough to get on that team and guess what he went out and proved that he is worth that much.

Instead of putting down Hargreaves why don't you put down the Canadian Soccer Association as well since all our good players are already playing abroad because our league sucks that much. I can think of one other Canadian playing for a big club. Edgar Davis. He's just 19 and came on for Newcastle and scored the tying goal against Man U.

If Sir Alex feels that Hargreaves is worth that amount of money then I can only support him. Yet I feel Hargreaves is worth every single penny of that 30 mill. He's a hard tackler, fast, very good sense of the game.

When he retire's hopefully he'll regret not wearing the maple leaf!

few knows anything about football here .they even call football soccer here.kick the ball with your hands,it is handball.
kick the ball with your legs it is football.
dont call it football like americans.

you do not know what your talking about first off he played brilliantly agaist portugal and if werent for the shootout which he scored on england would have one. im glad to see people calling it football not soccer cause that what it is. your just bitter that he playes for england and not canada! Who cares anybody would do it if they had a chance to play in the world cup would do it and i hope he playes premiership cause that is the best league in the world!

To be fair to John M., he probably *is* the footie expert at the CBC. The competition is between him and Strombo, who I've heard rumour is an eighth cousin once removed of one of the subs on the cement-footed Grecos accidental tourist squad of '04. Perhaps Mansbridge could be enticed to do a guest blog next week on how Cynthia Dale plays pick-up footie to stay in shape for her tiring thespian pursuits. Scintillating!

First off: I hate Bayern. Second: I don't like ManU anymore than that.
But that said, I remember shaking my head, wondering how the English, who (so I thought) know something about football, could so swiftly reject or at least be so skeptical about Hargreaves after his first matches with the 3 Lions. - Are they BLIND?, I asked myself. This kid is playing amazingly well - agile, intuitive, aggressive and even elegant on occasion. Before the World Cup the English kept complaining about him, and I asked myself why. Until I came up with the reason: their problem is that he plays in a German squad. That's all.
But to return to the issue at hand: Hargreaves is worth whatever the market offers.
As a Canadian, it's always been a pleasure to watch him on the TV here and tell my friends in a casual manner: "By the way, he's not really a Brit, he's actually a Canadian." None of them believe it.

Nobody is worth that much money however good he is, and I do believe Hargreaves was and is the best player on the English team , though that isn't to hard a plateau to reach nowdays. The mens game in Canada will never get off the ground internationlly because there are so few opportunities to make a decent lving at the game in this country and the coaching settup leaves a lot to be desired . As far as I can see the only Canadian teams with any chance of making it in the world are the womens teams and they manage it even with poor financing and facilities because of superb coaching and a desire to do thing right , I notice that their coach comes from one of the smaller European countrys instead of the so called powerhouses of soccer . Why did the last Canadian mens soccer coach leave ? I am sure it was frustration with the old boys network at " Soccer Canada " plus lack of funds and/or facilities.

Professional athletes are way overpaid. This writer is correct that he does not deserve this money. Many people here think they can back their claim by saying Canadians do not know soccer (or football). Fact is, many Canadians do know the sport, many Canadians do follow soccer, and many Canadians do know that while he is a good player, he is not worth this ridiculous amount of money, because let's face it, no athletes are!

Okay, so I guess you know more about soccer than Sir Alex. Fair enough. If you want overrated see David Beckham.

Owen Hargreaves is a wicked international soccer player, and arguably the best in the world at the holding midfielder role. and you don't win football matches without strong defence - just look at Italy. Given the ignorance of this article, 'CBC John' seems to actually be Don Cherry in disguise!

What a useless debate! If someone has the money to spend, spend it. If someone doesn't have the money to spend, then don't spend it.

What's the big deal whether something is worth it or not. No one has the classification to make an educated decision of this type other than Ferguson. What does anyone other than Ferguson know on what he is thinking in his head?! Are ANY of the players these days better than the likes of Puskas, Eusebio, or Pele? If the oldies weren't paid as much these guys and they were better, then ALL of these guys just deserve squat!

That's my unwarranted two cents...

J.K

Are you having a laff...is he having a laff?Soccer expert yeah right!

This is a personal fued between Bayern and Hargreaves. Bayern wants to keep Hargreaves and for him to honor his contract with Bayern because Bayern does not want to lose this high quality player. Thus the high price and wouldn't you think the price would go down because a player is injured. Hargreaves wants to leave because it will enhance his image in England and maybe money,or maybe just maybe he wants to play in England. Where does Ferguson fit in with all this, he just does not want to pay the price for an injured player.

What rot! What makes a player worth €20,000,000 and not €22,000,000, €27 or even €35,000,000, not €25,000,000? and who out there is able to rationalize the difference - unless you are a Sir Alex or equivalent - certainly not a sports writer or equivalent who consistently score less than 50% when they forecast results of games in sports that they profess to know something about! If the truth be known, it is an accountants problem, not the managers, as it all comes down to how many people will pay how much to watch this guy play and how much will he help the team win so that more tickets can be sold and more TV negotiated.

In his pursuit of Hargreaves, Sir Alex is trying to create a "third great side", and does not need to do that by duplicating the one that famously won the Premiership/FA Cup/Champions League in 1999.

Roy Keane is irreplaceable, and Sir Alex knows it. What United need is a tough-tackling, defensive-minded 'holding' midfielder, and Hargreaves fits the bill. Other players already in the side have the creativity and attacking flair that are needed to create chances in the opposing end. While Hargreaves may not be a 'general', he would do a great job of filling an existing gap.

And as for Mr. Molinaro's complaint that Hargreaves plays for England and not Canada, keep in mind that Hargreaves has repeatedly referred to himself as an Englishman "who just happens to have been born in Canada".

Of course he is not worth 30 million € - as a player. But let's remember that soccer is 1/3 sport, 1/3 entertainment and 1/3 national pasttime. Hargreaves will be a great to the Man. U.'s play, he has great entertainment value and he is English (sort-of), so I think Man. U. will get a good R.O.I.

B.J.

hargreaves is a good good player...but who will sir alex sacrifice as all the team is playing tremendous football. Carrick? - arguably one of the best passers of the ball in England if not europe. Scholes? - a player who is at the very peak of his game. Sir Alex must know what hes doing if hes prepared to fork out that much money on a player. People forget that we signed the "solution" to Roy Keanes departure in the summer - Michael Carrick for a meagre sum of 18.6 million. If we do sign hargreaves for the publicised amount we will have one of the most expensive midfields in the world ands maybe the most formiddable. Giggs Carrick Hargreaves Scholes and Ronaldo....Treble please!

Just for the record, Canadians have every right to call English football, soccer. It is an abbreviation of Association Football which is the correct name for soccer, or football as it is played in England.

"Owen Hargreaves is overrated" is he? Why would one of the most successful sports managers in the world offer a 25 million euro package for him then?

30 or 25 million both definitely sound like profiteering, but that is no reason to say that Owen Hargreaves is only "slightly better than average". Maybe you meant he was slightly better than average among the top 20 European pro clubs? Now that I can agree with. But as a professional soccer player, he's well beyond "average."

I love CBC, but can somebody please find an INSIGHTFUL soccer expert? Even though this is just sports, it's still journalism. And either he's incompetent or he likes saying things so extreme just to get a reaction, and either way that's not acceptable in any kind of journalism.

Please get a new "soccer expert!"

First of all, United won't pay what Bayern Munich are asking, so United know his value better than Bayern do.

The theme is always the same when the rich clubs like United and Chelsea come knocking on the door. The selling club know the interested club; United, have money, so they inflate the price to get as much as they can.

Second of all, United know no player will replace Roy Keane and they don't expect Hargreaves to play in the same manner as Keane, as it isn't his style. They want to use Hargreaves as a holding midfielder.

You can say Hargreaves is overrated, but he was one of England's best players in the recent World Cup. He has also been a mainstay with Bayern Munich for several seasons now. In that regards, he can't be that bad.

John Molinaro is the CBC's soccer expert, but it doesn't make him an expert on soccer. Being a soccer expert for the CBC is not a great accomplishment.

Hargreaves decided to play for England because he'd be selling himself short by playing for Canada. Who in their right mind would play for Canada instead of England, who regularly qualify for the World Cup and EURO? Canada only reached the '86 World Cup because an extra CONCACAF birth was up for grabs because Mexico qualified for being the host nation. Otherwise, Canada would not have been there.

It may be worth clearing some confusion on the transfer fees. Hargreaves would only receive a small portion of the 30 million transfer fee, with most of the money going to Bayern Munich for buying the rights to sign him to a contract and to agents. The reason Hargreaves is worth more money than many other great players is because he is a proven force, and has many years left on his contract. By comparisson, Michael Essien was bought for much less than his current value, because he only had a couple years of success before moving to Chelsea. Now that he has demonstrated that he can be a pivotal player on any stage, his value would likely be higher per remaining year on his contract. Makelele on the other hand has a lower transfer value, despite being a truly great player. His transfer value from Real Madrid reflected the future value of his contracts as an older player, and since he has few professional years left, his transfer value will be small. However his annual wages will not be small, and he is worth every penny.

Ironically, Chelsea have been much better at finding value than the Galacticos at Real Madrid. One reason for CFC's high-transfer prices is due to the calibre and youth of the team. Real Madrid pays high-transfer fees, but gets little back when the player leaves or retires, and are paying a lot of money for image rights.

My guess is that I would side with Alex Ferguson, who despite having a lot of cash to finance his signings, still has one of the best records for recognizing value.

He is a way better player right now than Shevchenko or Carrick. Look what they cost. It's all relative so of course he's worth their money if Man U. want to get even better than they are. Heargraves and Gigs and Scholes and Ronaldo across the middle sounds like a winning team to me!
The thing is he has a broken leg that isn't healing well. Or is he sandbagging (not working as hard as he could to recover)?
GO CANADIANs
He talks about Canada all the time as far as I can tell. Sounds like he is proud to have grown up here! We should be proud too. I'm going to coach this coming soccer season, two teams, my competitive team and my five year old son's little team. If the "expert's" had spent less time whining about soccer in Canada and more time coaching when I was a kid, there would have been a lot more of excellent Canadian players playing over there. Buck up and start doing something about our situation, I am.

A little clarification for those that have said that Hargreaves does not "deserve the money," and should be paid less--the 30 million is the transfer fee paid to the club to purchase the player, it is not the player's salary!!LOL!

Although he's a great player, I don't think Hargreaves is worth that money either, but just remember what happened to Real after they let Makelele get away...they went straight into the toilet and still haven't found a decent replacement in midfield. Fergie needs somebody reliable to wipe Ronaldo's nose for him when he starts blubberin' don't he!

I agree with a great deal of the comments surrounding O Hargeaves departure from Canadian soccer, however, you should not overlook the ffact that he would have most likely ended up with England anyways. Who would you rather have played for England or Canada - one country frequents the European Championship and World Cup and the other fails to qualify. Canada would have never helped his career like a spot on the England squad. It would be like saying Owen Nolan should have played for team Great Britain in hockey, rather than play for Canada in the Olympics etc.

I would be proud of the fact he has stuck on one of the worlds best soccer clubs, he is very proud to represent England and continue in his English heritage.

Hargreaves owes nothing to Canada, the Canadian soccer braintrust put the kibosh on his international career when he was cut as a young player. Subsequent attempts to lure him back to the Canadian team were to no avail. I agree with Craig after being spurned who would you rather play for - England, Canada and even Wales and Germany made overtures for his services. When he finally had the opportunity much to the chagrin of the parochial English, he seized it and was the best all around performer for England, the boo-birds were transformed into fans. Of course, he's going to take advantage of what is presented before him, so is Bayern, they lost Ballack, with Hargreaves under contract, and they will drive up his transfee fee and get what they can for him and if they don't get it they still retain him. This is after all, a business operation. Man U is worth billions, they can afford anyone if they want, we Canadians (err Hargreaves fans) should be happy to see him finally receive his due, internationally and professionally. I hear his has a Canadian girlfriend so even though he is going to salute the Union Jack, I can't help to think that he must have some connection with our country. Perhaps when his playing days are longer over he'll come back and help us out with player development but that's wishful thinking. It would be nice if he were Steve Nash and help sponsor the national team out of his pocket but alas, methinks we lost our opportunity with him when we let him go, my question is, does his story set the tone for our international squad?? It appears that Jonathan De Guzman is going to go Dutch and play for Holland ... another great one gone to toil on foreign soil. It's one thing to do it for euros but to play for another national team ... wake up Canada!

Owen Hargreaves is the Player Man Utd need very badly , although we are in a good position at present, we have 8 very difficult away games 4 in London , 2 in Merseyside , our
Manchester neighbours and a visit to the southcoast to Portsmouth.
Owen would Seal the team together and provide
much more steel in the team , we are very lightweight at times since Roy Keanes Retirement- but the most important thing it
will do is release Paul Scholes much more and we have seen recently what Damage he can inflict when he is arond the Penalty Box of our Opponents , where that leaves Michael Carrick remains to be seen, but Owen is a Massive Priority if we are going to keep ahead of Chelsea.

Is Hargreaves overrated? Yeah, somewhat, but he is still a good player. The English systematically overrate English players. I thought Michael Carrick was supposed to be Man U's midfield golden boy and yet that isn't turning out as expected 18 million euros later.

Is the price outrageous ? No. it is a good negotiating position having regard to the current market. The Makelele deal is old news. Essien is a better comparable at 24.4, Mahamadou Diarra went to Real for what ? 26 ? 28? Hargraves will be end up in this range. You want the player you pay the money.

If not, look for better value in a younger player like Rio Mavuba out of Bordeaux.

Hargreaves would have played for Canada if the soccer idiots that run the CSA hadn't cut him!!

John Molinaro's views might hold more clout if he backed them up with... anything! Stats, analysis of Hargreaves strengths and weaknesses, history, tactical knowledge, for starters. Supporting evidence, not just flippant opinions make more of an interesting read, John.

John Who?

Mate, who are you and why are you writting such rubbish? Considering Hargreaves form in the World Cup, should clue you in to his talent. With the likes of Cole, Lampard and Gerrard playing more minutes and his play shinning through, come on! I hope you don't seriously believe what you wrote, but maybe you do and that makes you a typical agenda wheeling whingy whiny journalist who probably was never very good at the sport he/she writes about. Cr

Mr. Molinaro encouraged Owen Hargreaves not to play for Canada long ago, so those of you meandering that track had better think again. Aside from the "slightly better than average" comment, I'd have to say that Molinaro has hit the nail on the head. A couple of very strong games in the world cup has apparently made many forget 20 some odd decidedly average, occasionally weak, appearances in the England Jersey.

Owen Hargreaves is a very good player, and would help Man United. But he is not a superstar.

Transfers, compensation, and endorsements in sports have gone crazy. Owen Hargreaves is the best holding midfielder in the world. Something the CBC's award winning football reporter has failed to understand. Owen neutralises the opposing midfield and attacks. That is what makes him a game breaker.

There is a lot of ignorence on this board about the figures that are being thrown around. The $30M Hargreaves is 'worth' is NOT his salary. This is purely a figure Man U will have to pay Bayern munich for transferring Hargreaves before his contract is up. On top of that Man U will have to dish out Owen's salary. Once Bayern and United have decided on a transfer payment Owen and United will have to discuss his wages. This is one of the main reasons why in football clubs sign long-term contracts with their star players and renegotiate contracts before they end.

McKenna

I don't think any poster claims Hargreaves is a superstar. If so, he'd be ranked up there with Ronaldo and a few others.

To be a regular with Bayern Munich; a club with a decent and recent track record in the Bundesliga and the Champion's League, one must be a high calibre.

He is, without a doubt, one of the best holding midfielders in Europe and that is what United want him for.

You claim, "A couple of very strong games in the world cup has apparently made many forget 20 some odd decidedly average, occasionally weak, appearances in the England Jersey" Right then, McKenna, that comment can be applied to every England player in the last twenty matches.

Regardless, Hargreaves did better than most during the World Cup; soccer's grandest stage. The rest of the England squad were flops and Hargreaves wasn't one of them.

Englands lacklustre display in Germany? Yeah... because Canada took Germany by storm didn't they!

Hargreaves is a fantastic holding midfielder, he's versatile and has no fear. He will get stuck in.

When Canada has decent player... letalone a national league, then maybe you can fly your colours, but untill then...

the guy who wrote this is obviously unawarre of owens presence in Euroe.... like you are probably a hockey fenatic... obviously knowing nothing about hargreaves career... he makes canada proud, just like our hockey teams buddie, but on a whole other level, look at all the soccer players in canada and to say that what like 1 pro out of like say 30 million in canada is worth your while to beak, no point, you are a obviously a washedb up prolly amature player, you embarass yourself with this article by
stating your side on Owen, England loves him
now so fucking look into SOccer buddy then
refigure your side of the story, you fake..

Mr Watford fan, don't come into a Canadian website and talk trash about us. England is by far the most overrated team in the world and always have been. Having said that, John, sorry buddy I disagree with you on this. Hargreaves has the potential of being a top ten player in the world. He's young, quick and very talented. The fact the he plays for the most over rated team in the world instead of us leaves a bitter taste in all are mouths and I believe that is why John is so angry. Back to the Watford fan. I assume your are from England and football is your National sport right? unfortunately in Canada, football (soccer) is a non entity. However; take a look at are national sport of hockey. We are the best in the world hands down. And you said when Canada has a decent player then he should fly his colours, well news flash!!! the best player on England's national team is Canadian.

Interesting that you should choose to focus on Hargreaves instead the most overrated and overhyped player in the history of the game - David Beckham.

Becks has no pace, no dazzling dribbling skills and never tackles (like Georgie Best said it best of Becks). The other Galaxy players must be feeling like chopped liver!

Is he the new messiah for the MLS? Not bloody likely. Until the league can count on charging EPL level tiket prices to fill stadiums that hold at leat 40,000, American interst in Footie will continue to alternate between an ethnic sport and a passing fashion.

And, by the way, you're dead wrong on Hargreaves. But then that is not surprising, given your other observations. Stick to baseball (Rounders to us) and perhaps curling.

Hargreaves may have felt wronged by the CSA, but he was Canadian. Despite being born and growing up here, he chose England. It's too bad more Canadians don't take the following to heart: Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

He could have been what Steve Nash is to basketball in our country. Steve could have played for Great Britain, but didn't. Canada has never been a basketball powerhouse, but as a youth basketball coach, I see kids idolizing Steve. He has really furthered basketball in Canada.

It's too bad Owen couldn't get over himself, show some patriotism, and do the same for soccer as well. He may be a great footballer but I will never have any respect for him.

I think that this article is wrong in saying that Owen Hargreaves is overrated. Overpriced, yes. The money Bayern are asking for is obscene. Don't get me wrong Hargreaves is an excellent player. His work ethic is top drawer, and he has fantastic technical ability. My only question is: where would he play at Man. Utd. ? They already paid too much to purchase Michael Carrick (another excellent, but overpriced player), and Paul Scholes has shown that he is one of Europe's finest midfielders. One of these two would have to give way for Hargreaves, otherwise they'll have 30 million pound benchwarmer.

Hargreaves played with the U17 Welsh international squad (you failed to mention that his mother, I'm guessing fairly important in the life of Owen, is Welsh) as he was eligible to play for Canada, Wales or England. Is anyone worth 30 million dollars of any denomination...Beckham just received
$250 million US for five years...he is no
superstar either, he's a very good player (as is Hargreaves)but neither one is a Stanley Matthews or a Pele.

Owen Hargreaves has skill, energy to burn and has made a name for himself, intenationally. How easy is it to leave your homeland and make a go of it in another country? It takes individual courage and not cowardice. The soccer leagues in Canada need a revamp. So we all know that. Just go do it. The Brits ate crow at the World Cup when he scored the only goal in the penalty shoot out.
Regardless of where he comes from or whom he represents, Canada still gets the press, as it should.

Another factor in Hargreaves high price can be attributed to that he played for the English national team, something that you mentioned but failed to factor into your decision that Owen is over-valued.

In the Premiership, any player who is consistently capped for England is a much more valuable product. Remember Man U shelling out around 20 million pounds for Michael Carrick? Didn't Chelsea pay a similar amount for Sean Wright Phillips? So he could sit on the bench? If Carrick is worth 20 million, I could see Hargreaves being worth 30.

When asked why he didn't have more English players on his team Arsene Wenger recently said he couldn't afford them because they tend to be over-valued in the market.

One could argue about the value of any player, that some positions are undervalued for their impact, that certain leagues inflate players prices. However, in a free market system, by definition, a player is worth what he costs.

Man U haven't paid 30 million pounds for Hargreaves yet, and I hope they don't because I support Liverpool. But if they do, my guess is that he'll be worth every penny.

Owen Hargreaves is totally under-rated whoever says he is over rated has no idea about football, the type who thinks petr cech is the best goalie in the premiership which is bollox, cos anyone who no's anything about football can tell ya its shay given, but the thing is all these journalists no nothing about football even the english 1's so if ya no about footy ya got no chance of succeeding as a journalist but owen's a top player and proved his class compared to fat funboy frankie at chelsea during the world cup

Reading this blog several things come to mind:

1. How important is a top-notch holding midfielder? Answer: most important position on the field. Only player who fully participates in both attack and defense. The one who is matched man-to-man with the opponent's main attacking player, ie Zidane, Ronaldinho, Nedved, etc... Arsenal had Patrick Vieira. Chelsea has Makelele. Man Utd had Roy Keane. When each of these guys was at his peak, his team was winning everything. Without Vieira and Keane, those teams are good but not dominating.

2. Upside. Owen is a world-class holding player. And he's only 25. He may never become Roy Keane, but he has many good years ahead. So the bidding will be high.

3. Adaptability. Javier Mascherano is very similar to Owen, although three years younger, and played the holding role in an extremely talented Argentina team in the World Cup, as well as being the captain of Corinthians in the Brazilian league. Yet he failed to adapt at West Ham, and has lost a fair bit of his value. Owen showed that he can adapt to Bayern's style and the language there, ditto with England; therefore he should have a good chance of doing the same at Manchester.

4. Media perception vs. actual value to the team. Any defender is "overrated" by the media, but a top-notch one is always very highly valued by the managers. The media focusses on "skill" players, attacking flair as in Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane etc. France had Henry and Zidane, but in my mind it was Vieira who took that team to the finals both times. He wears the captain's armband now.

5. Leadership: Centre-defense or centre midfield is the most common position to wear the captain's armband, implying that leadership qualities abound in those posisitons.n Owen is still a bit young to be considered for that, and always might be a bit of an outsider wherever he plays. But he has those qualities.

Love the debate!

I dont believe any professional player has the physical talent worth that kind of money. Not in any league anywhere. However when you factore in the business side which includes marketing....read tv rights, appeaarences, cup successes equipment sales endorsements etc maybe Man U know what they are doing. They havnt stumbled too much in the last decade.

well first off, dont go overboard with bashing this journalist. there is some truth to what he is saying. owen hargreaves is not worth 30 million. dont get me wrong, he is a good player but he is not in the same league as keane, ronaldhino, or gerrard.

he is a good player who has an accomplished resume at his age. that said, he hasnt been much of a factor on his own. he doesnt have that innate ability to turn the match on its head like lampard or riquelme.

he only came into the spotlight at the world cup because people around him started failing. had gerrard or lampard been upto their usual self no one would pay too much attention to hargreaves. that is unfair to hargreaves but its the truth. the hype around him only developed because he showed up to play at the world cup (that doesnt make him a 30 million player). he wasnt counted upon to be good by anyone but he came through.

i saw people attesting bayren munich winning so many titles and what not because of hargreaves. dont fail and forget that the tittle winning bayren teams had oliver kahn, michael ballack, deisler, makaay, ze roberto, deischler, and more stalwarts. it wasnt all hargreaves. at best he would be a 15-20 million transfer target. dont let ur sentiments judge a player becaue its unfair to both u and the player.

hargreaves needs to prove on his own that he is worthy of 30 million pounds. meaning he has to be the go to guy for a while before a price tag like that can be put on him.

Owen Hargreaves is not that such good player. His skills are as the same as one normal soccer player. I think that he will be benched in Man U with the superstar in the team, like Scholes, Rooney, Larsson, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

What's with John Molinaro? Did some blue blood Brits make his father or grandfather clean toilets when his ancestors came over from the "old country"? He seems to have a burning hatred for anything WASP. From Beckham envy, to Hargreaves bashing, to pimping "Prissy Crissy", the anti-Rooney.

Giving this dolt a forum carries a responsibility to the readership. Molinaro is just using it as a personal vendetta mechanism. His ingrained bias drives every article. I for one find it tiresome, and would rather read more objective articles that focus on the game of soccer.

Let him cover pro "rasslin", that seems to be his area of expertise according to the bio. Then soccer fans won't have to deal with him.

Comments ascribed to Hargreaves and Becks about their actual or perceived value to a team are moot, in any case the bidder and seller will determine their value not fans or foes - Interesting to hear Hargreave's comment about Beck's move to North America and treatment meted out to him by Real (perhaps a shot at Bayern and their treatment of him?) whatver he does express an interest in playing in North America at some point once his playing under the flag of convenience/commerce wears off, he say this about Becks and playing in NA:" But what he brings to a league that is not that popular at the moment is a big name and he is going to be hugely influential. It also opens the door for others to go over there and play and I am sure you will see some other star players commit their future to MLS. Towards the end of my career, I could definitely see myself playing over there. It would be interesting especially as I grew up in North America and certainly something to think about."

Owen Hargreaves is a perfecr Roy Keane replacement in so many ways, apart from not being irish, 30 million euro's is a lot but at the same time he will in, Sir Alex's eyes bring so much more than that some of money.

Man utd need a holding midfielder to replace the legend of Keano, Carrick hasn't worked, Djemba- Djemba and kleberson haven't worked, alan smith is not a defensive midfielder.

Bayern have put this price tag on owen because of the lack of replacement, after losing ballack and van bommel in the summer, they have no quality midfielders left.

And the question of not playing for his home country of canada, when was the last time canada was in the world cup??? Football is about winning and to win you need the best players that can work as a team! Hargreaves might not be a gamebreaker or a 30 goal a season goal scoring machine but what he is, is the best holding midfielder in the world, apart from gilberto of arsenal, and makelele of chelsea.

He's a box to box player, with a good turn of speed, a great tackerler and a good passer of the ball, nd thats the job of a holding midfielder, nothing more, nothing less. Though i am a arsenal fan, i would love to see hargreaves playing for utd, and then maybe we could have one of the historic midfield battles again, like the keano- viera days, but with gilberto- hargreaves!

Hargreaves is well worth the cash, ne how who else you gonna spend the money on???

btw - here's the link to Hargreave's comments about Becks and playing in North America some day.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6262633.stm

Eriksson tells Man Utd: £20M good price for Hargreaves
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=25632

It is too bad that Hargreaves suffered a serious injury this season. Had he been healthy he would be having the season of his life right now, and no football journalist would dream of writing a column like this one.

Hargreaves has been UNDERrated from day one.

If Rio Ferdinand can fetch 30million quid, then Hargreaves is worth at least that much.

However much John Molinara is being paid for his "soccer opinions" might be the better discussion! Over-inflated I'd say! To Owen we say you make us proud... YOU ARE CANADIAN!

I agree that Hargreaves is overrated. Sorry but he's a good athlete and nothing more. His game seems to be about using his fitness by chasing down and dispossessing players, which he does well, but in the premiership where players are used to a fast pace and minimal amount of time on the ball how will Hargreaves prove useful? Not very considering he's played all of his professional football in Die Bundeslige, and in the 5 years he's been playing for England the only games he's shown his worth is against a mediocre Portugal side, an atrocious Greece side and and pub team also known as Andorra. £20 million? Yeah right.

Is it possible for a Canadian sports writer to analyze the game of soccer without any mention of hockey, or is their knowledge of sport limited within the realm of an ice sheet. Mr. Molinaro, 30M Euros is grossly overpaid for any athlete in any sport. But, if we're talking about the value of Owen Hargreaves then please learn yourself of his accomplishments during his time in Europe and then criticize. Many people, and perhaps you fall in this category, have jumped on the Owen bandwagon resulting from his stellar performance in the 2006 World Cup, but he has been performing at the level for several years. Owen has faced ignorance and bigotry throughout his career, in Canada and abroad, and he has to this day overcome it by his play and has been rewarded by many accomplishments. Re: your knave comment of "Slightly better than average" Owen's presence on the field is similar to that of Chris Pronger on the ice. They're both 'pillars of strength' which make players around them better. Just ask the Oilers and the Ducks.

Mr. Molinaro I realize that it ishard to see clearly with your head up your backside but Owen Hargreaves is a allround quality player who is underrated if anything.I totally agree that he should not play for England,after all they have the great Ronaldo running around like a spoiled brat believing all the crap about how great he is that is, being fed to him.I think that Owen should come back to Canada where he will be appreciated as much or more as he is in Germany,after all football attendance is lacking in England.Rather than concentate on the countries own athletes they try to buy their way to the top by bringing in players,who are stars in their own country,and the fans are becoming disinterested.Owen deserves more than your view from the darkside

Above all Man U. loves to flaunt that the English squad boasts many of its players. Add to that the fact that Hargreaves was one of few players who gave his all during the Tourney and voilà; You have a the future of England's hopes that all of the country wants to see in the Premiership.
Maybe one day he too will end his career in MLS. Can you say Toronto FC?
Right!

this is to nathan - his name is david edgar - see it and memorize it - he will be canada's next great player to be wasted internationally with our joke of a national program,

i hope no one here disagrees with owen's decision to not play for canada, our national and the provincial program both told him he wasn't good enough - yet a world class club like bayern munich saw enough potential to bring him into their youth program,

>Owen Hargreaves has been voted the England fans' player of the year for 2006.

The tough-tackling central midfielder impressed with a series of sterling performances at the World Cup in Germany last summer, which also bagged him the England player of the World Cup award. Now the Bayern Munich man has scooped the double honour, ahead of other candidates including Steven Gerrard, who came second in the voting, and third-placed Peter Crouch, who in 2006 became the only man to score ten goals for England in a single calendar year.

Hargreaves, who polled 29 per cent of the votes cast, featured in eight of the side's 14 internationals last year but has been out of action for his country since September.

Let's rationalize this entire ordeal. Hargeaves is a decent player. To all the pan-Canadian nationalists, I can understand the bias sentiment in defending his worth, but he isn't worth more than Claude Makelele or say the likes of Gennaro Gattuso or even Estaban Cambiasso. When Hargreaves achieves the heights of the above-mentioned players than I would say he is worth the cash. Furthermore, Man U is the wealthiest team in the world and spending ridiculous amounts of money on under-rated talent is a mainstay. How many world talents in the game of football would like to play for Man U...not many. Man U's best player ever, Cristiano Ronaldo is dying to leave the ranks. So when analyzing soccer, please spare the national sentiment Sarah as it skews sound reason and your sense of real talent in the game of football, i.e. Riquelme, Messi, Pirlo, Abidal and Henry. The English team is overrated and always will be. Fans call England's performance at the last Workd Cup lacklustre...I'd say they not up to the task or on par with their competitors, i.e. France, Spain and Italy. Simple measure of being overrated....Why isn't Real, Milan, Inter or Barcelona racing to buy him;). British football has yet to prove itself internationally (one World Cup and the most controversial) therefore, until that day comes, British players are all overrated. What happened to Lampard and Gerrard, apparently the star duo that was supposed to shine?

To my friend Derek that thinks or believes that there is a bias in Molinaro's journalism, are you that inept, all jouranlism has a bias.

As for the comment about holding resent towards the Brits, such a comment is demeaning and ridiculous, however, to set the record straight. It is the Roman/Italian culture that has influenced British culture and not vice versa. Remember, there are spoils of Roman/Italic reminders of in Britain.....where are the British ones in Italy?

As for British football lets move to facts.....where are the British internationally. Oh I forgot, as corrupt as the Italians are made out to be, the British World Cup win in 66 is the most controversial in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

So is it resentment in teh analysis of Molinaro or the sheer notion and awareness that the British team is weak and Hargreaves is no different. Italians don't resent anything WASP, they simply know that their food, literature and style and CULTURE are a step above the Brits. So when the Brits achieve that decadence in soccer and history, maybe the poor Italian immigrant may resent the WASPS.

Most of the comments recognise that the real joke is on Soccer Canada. Some wrote that Canada is too hockey-centric and I would have to agree. Canada does produce top quality athletes in sports that are given little service or support (Hargreaves, Steve Nash, G Rusedski, Mike Wier) If Canada took the time to invest in other sports like it does in hockey we could develop several world class players like Hargreaves. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Stick to writing about wrestling Molinaro!

Don Coulter

Toronto

Dear John,

Were you voted European U21 player of the year?

Did you play in two World Cups by the age of 25?

Did you start for the fifth ranked team in the world in Euro 2004?

Were you named 'man of the match' by the FIFA technical committee in a World Cup quarter final game?

Have you won 4 German Championships, three German Cups, and a UEFA Champions League title?

Well Owen Hargreaves has!!!!, so shut your trap you, you don't know football from your backside, much less a hole in the ground!

i totally agree with him -----^

You chat a load of crap mr.article writer
i've been a long-term fan of OH and he has more than lived up to his expectations (and mine)
think bout it, SAF would not consider splashing out big bucks on OH if he wasn't quality- ITS SAF FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!

For all of you that seem to think he his England best player you are totally wrong, he was our best performer in th world cup, but to say hes our best player is just plain stupid and shows a blatent lack of knowledge of the sport similar to that of the article writer. If anything Hargreaves is an under rated player and suits english football perfectly. His family is from bolton his dad had trials for bolton, hargreaves is a boltonian name, but he was born in Canada. He chose to play for england because this is the country that his whole family is from and he respects this and is proud of his roots, if players played for the country they were born in, England would have an italian world cup winner in the squad - Simone Perrotta, he was born in England but that doesnt make him english, Hargreaves was born in Canada but hes NOT canadian hes english through and through and you need to face it.

I wish everyone would get off Owen's case about not playing in Canada. Canada has the worst national ID program ever. If Canada ever wants to keep a great player...let's face it, the system has to change. No offence, but most of the great players in Canada are not of Canadian lineage, therefore, have the better option of going somewhere else to play. Do not think of Canada, what would you do if you were in his spot?

He has all the potential to be the next Roy keane, he is not there to build up their game he is there because he is tough to face just like roy keane was. Carrick isnt up to par if you ask me he needs to be more aggresive just like owen is and than transfer the ball to the skilled middfielder.

Perhaps Carrick will grow into that role im not counting him out. Lets give Carrick more time to grow in its not an easy shoe to fill after all.

Carrick isnt trying to be the next roy keane, and he was never intended to be, he plays as a deep midfielder rather than a defensive midfielder - playing passes all over the pitch, owen hargreaves would come in and act as this defensive midfielder allowing carrick to move slightly further up the pitch, and play in his prefered central midfield position.

Correct, the price is vastly overated - Owen Hargreaves is a very good player but the price put on him by Bayern is both absurd and a try on!

It is a form of try on initially to discourage ManU but now as the situation at Bayern has become really desperate because of lack of real success this season it is an attempt to get more finance to buy new players for the season 2007/2008!

Initially this was started by Hoeness but he is in a corner now because of his big mouthed utterings to completely revamp the tean immatierial of what it costs!

Now his trainer Hitzfeld - who is desperate because of his lack of personal success in this last 3 months - is on this particular wagon and pushing from behind for big spendings for big names!

In buying Hargeaves for overated big money ManU is financing their own competitors.

Better to get in a few promising youngsters with real determination like Rooney!

I think most of the commenters are confused between pounds and euros. Last I've heard, Bayern have agreed a 17 million pound deal for United. It might almost be the same as Chelsea payed for Makelele, but Hargreaves has better years ahead of him, hence the price. Anyway, I think that he would be integral to success in Europe. In the Champions League, you need holding midfielders like that, which United have missed since Keano's departure and I think it is the reason why they conceded most of those five goals (home and away) against Milan. For instance, Kaka's first goal.

Hargreaves is a good player. Quick,tough,smart and versatile. Considering that there are not many players that play the same role as good as him 30 million € isnt that bad a deal. I think he would be a great addition to Man U's squad.

I agree it's expensive but Hargreaves is better than average and a perfect fit in Manchester. I think he can be the difference in those all important victories that Man U missed in the end!

man u have got money so they may aswell spend it, they are only helping bayern finacially so that is fine, since bayern need the money after missing out on champions league football, that 17 million quid isnt going to affect the market as bayern have already wasted most of it on luca toni.

Who cares how much Man U spends on the transfer, It's not our money, and the have boat loads of it. Owen is a work horse who is expected to play a Keane like role. His work ethic and defensive abilities make it an ideal transfer. He has played in bright lights of World Cup and has done well, so a move to Man U will not be a huge surprise. This also gives rest to Scholes and others, and the vetran Man U players may help him achieve more success...Brilliant move...GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think that when these numbers came out initially anyone thought these would be the actual transfer numbers.Bayern was simply trying to get as much cash as they could.The final number seems to be about right.I don't know if Owen is in the top 5 holding midfielders in the world...yet...but he can easily become one as he is still improving.His return from injury was slow and he obviously was much less than fit in the few matches he played in since then.However,it was Hargreaves who won several individual tackles on Christian Ronaldo in the World Cup to completely shut him down with almost no decent chances.Alex Ferguson is a smart man and if Hargreaves when healthy can shut down a world class player like that then I believe he knows the value of an Owen Hargreaves.

For anyone who thinks Hargreaves is a traitor to Canada, imagine yourself in this scenario. You and your spouse move to China. All your other relatives, parents, grandparents etc. are Canadian. You raise your children in China and they learn the language (as well as English of course). Your son then becomes a fantastic hockey player by the time he is 16 but there is no hope for advancing unless he moves back to North America. He has dual citizenship (Chinese and Canadian) and by the time he is 21 he is offered a spot on the Canadian national hockey team. Should he turn that down to play for China instead?

I didn't think so.

As a Canadian, I've been following Hargreaves with pride even though he is playing for England. His work ethic, intelligence and courage (moving to Europe at 16, breaking into Bayern's first team) and the way he conducts himself on the pitch, are all to be admired. As Canadians we should not have sour grapes and try to bring this player down but be proud that we retain some kind of connection to him.