Owen Hargreaves: Man United midfielder Profile & Stats
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Portrait of Owen Hargreaves

Owen Hargreaves

Position: midfielder

England England flag

PWDLFA

HAN P W D L F A Diff Win%
H 20 17 1 2 36 9 +27 85.00
A 18 7 6 5 23 15 +8 38.89
N 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
TOTALS 39 24 8 7 60 25 +35 61.54

Name: Owen Lee Hargreaves
Birthdate: 20-01-1981
Age: 45
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height: 5' 11" (1.80m)
Weight: 11st 7lbs (73.3kg)
Years at Club: 2007-2011
Signing Info: Transferred from: FC Bayern Munchen, 01/07/2007, £17m
Previous Clubs: FC Bayern Munchen
Debut: 19/08/2007 v Manchester City (A) 0-1 (FA Premiership)
Farewell: Released from contract, 06/2011
Passed Away:

Biography

Owen Hargreaves is a former professional footballer who had a distinguished career as a midfielder for clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Known for his ability to cover ground, break up play, and contribute offensively, Hargreaves was one of the most versatile and effective midfielders of his generation. His career was unfortunately plagued by injuries, but his impact at the top level, particularly during Manchester United's 2008 Champions League-winning campaign, remains significant.

Early Career and Rise at Bayern Munich
Born in Canada to English parents, Hargreaves moved to Germany at a young age to join Bayern Munich's youth academy in 1997. He quickly progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut for Bayern in 2000. Hargreaves became a key player in Bayern's midfield, excelling in a box-to-box role, where he showcased his ability to win the ball, break up attacks, and drive the team forward.

Key Achievements at Bayern Munich:
UEFA Champions League Winner (2001): Hargreaves was an important part of Bayern Munich's 2001 UEFA Champions League-winning team, playing in the final against Valencia.
Bundesliga Titles: He helped Bayern Munich win four Bundesliga titles (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006) and three DFB-Pokals.
Versatility and Development: Hargreaves developed a reputation as one of the most versatile midfielders in Europe, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced role.
Hargreaves' performances in Germany attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, and in 2007, Manchester United signed him for a reported fee of £17 million.

Career at Manchester United (2007-2011)
Hargreaves arrived at Manchester United with high expectations, and he quickly became an integral part of the team's midfield. His energy, tackling, and ability to dictate the tempo in midfield made him a key figure, particularly in big matches. Despite being primarily a defensive midfielder, Hargreaves was also a threat from set-pieces, scoring important goals from free kicks.

Key Achievements at Manchester United:
Premier League Title (2007-08): Hargreaves played a crucial role in helping United win the Premier League in his first season at the club.
UEFA Champions League Winner (2008): Hargreaves was instrumental in United's 2008 Champions League victory, playing in the final against Chelsea. He even converted a penalty in the dramatic shootout win.
Set-Piece Expertise: Hargreaves scored several crucial goals for United, including a memorable free-kick against Arsenal in the 2007-08 Premier League campaign that helped United secure the title.
Injury Struggles:
Despite his early success, Hargreaves' time at Manchester United was severely affected by injuries, particularly chronic knee problems. These injuries limited his appearances and prevented him from reaching his full potential at Old Trafford. He made just 39 appearances for United over four seasons before leaving the club in 2011.

Short Spell at Manchester City and Retirement
After leaving Manchester United, Hargreaves made a surprising move to Manchester City in 2011, hoping to revive his career. However, persistent injury issues continued to haunt him, and he only made 4 appearances for City before retiring from professional football in 2012.

International Career
Despite being born in Canada and starting his career in Germany, Hargreaves opted to represent England at the international level. He earned 42 caps for England, becoming one of the few players to play for England without having played club football in the country at the time of his debut.

Key International Highlights:
2006 FIFA World Cup: Hargreaves was one of England's standout players during the 2006 World Cup, where he was named England's Player of the Tournament. His performances, particularly in the quarter-final against Portugal, where he was the only England player to score in the penalty shootout, earned him widespread praise.
Legacy and Playing Style
Owen Hargreaves is remembered as a versatile and hard-working midfielder who excelled at both club and international levels. His ability to cover ground, win tackles, and protect the defense made him one of the best defensive midfielders of his time. His set-piece ability, stamina, and tactical intelligence added another dimension to his game, making him a vital asset to any team he played for.

Although his career was cut short by injuries, Hargreaves' contributions, particularly at Bayern Munich and Manchester United, as well as his stellar performances for England, leave behind a legacy of what might have been had he stayed injury-free.

Post-Retirement and Media Career
Since retiring, Hargreaves has transitioned into a successful career as a football pundit and commentator, providing insights and analysis for various media outlets, including BT Sport. His deep understanding of the game, particularly in midfield, has made him a respected voice in football broadcasting.

Summary
Owen Hargreaves was a versatile and talented midfielder who excelled at Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Despite his career being hampered by injuries, he played a crucial role in Manchester United's 2008 Champions League and Premier League victories. Known for his tireless work ethic, defensive abilities, and set-piece prowess, Hargreaves is remembered as one of the best midfielders of his generation. His performances for England, particularly in the 2006 World Cup, further cemented his legacy as a top player.
 
Season Goals Season Apps
League Goals League Apps LC Goals LC Apps FAC Goals FAC Apps CS Goals CS Apps EC Goals EC Apps Europa Goals Europa Apps SC Goals SC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps IC Goals IC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps Season
Goals
Season
Apps
1. 2007-2008 2 23 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 34
2. 2008-2009 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
3. 2009-2010 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
4. 2010-2011 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 2 27 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 39

Detailed Match & Performance Charts

MUFC Player Goals MUFC Player Appearances MUFC Player Opponent Manager MUFC Player Club Manager
No Opponent Goals Appearances
1. Fulham 1 1
2. Arsenal 1 1
No MUFC Managers Count
Stadiums Competition Opponents Opponent Nationality
No Competition Count
1. Premiership 27
2. European Cup 9
3. FA Cup 3
No Opponent Count
1. Tottenham Hotspur 3
2. Chelsea 3
3. Manchester City 2
4. Sunderland 2
5. Middlesbrough 2
6. Arsenal 2
7. Bolton Wanderers 2
8. Fulham 2
9. Liverpool 2
10. West Ham United 2
11. Aston Villa 2
12. Portsmouth 2
13. Olympique Lyonnais 2
14. Roma 2
15. Barcelona 2
16. Blackburn Rovers 1
17. Sporting Club Lisbon 1
18. Birmingham City 1
19. Reading 1
20. Wigan Athletic 1
21. Villarreal 1
22. Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
No Opponent Nationality Count
1. England 31
2. Spain 3
3. France 2
4. Italy 2
5. Portugal 1
Roy Keane own goal v Real Madrid Old Trafford 2000 Cup Finals
No Date Opponent Competition Own Goals
Player has never scored an own goal against the club.
No Date Opponent WDL F-A Competition
1. 21-05-2008 Chelsea D 1-1 European Cup
Penalties scored for Manchester United Manchester United Hat-Tricks
No Date Opponents Competition Penaltys
Player has never scored a penalty for the club.
No Date Opponent Competition Goals
Player has never scored a hat-trick or better during a game.
 
Red Cards  
No Date Opponent Competition
Player has never been sent off during a match.
 

All Matches played

No Date Comp Opponent WDL F-A HAN Goal!! Scorers Opponent scorers
1. 19-08-2007 PL Manchester City L 0-1 A 0 Deiberson Geovanni 31'
2. 26-08-2007 PL Tottenham Hotspur W 1-0 H 0 Nani 68'
3. 01-09-2007 PL Sunderland W 1-0 H 0 Louis Saha 72'
4. 27-10-2007 PL Middlesbrough W 4-1 H 0 Nani 3', Wayne Rooney 33', Carlos Tevez 55', 85' Jeremie Aliadiere 6'
5. 03-11-2007 PL Arsenal D 2-2 A 0 William Gallas 45'+1 (o.g.), Cristiano Ronaldo 82' Cesc Fabregas 48', William Gallas 90'+1
6. 11-11-2007 PL Blackburn Rovers W 2-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 34', 35'
7. 24-11-2007 PL Bolton Wanderers L 0-1 A 0 Nicholas Anelka 11'
8. 27-11-2007 EC/UCL Sporting Club Lisbon W 2-1 H 0 Carlos Tevez 61', Cristiano Ronaldo 90'+2 Abel 21'
9. 03-12-2007 PL Fulham W 2-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 10', 58'
10. 16-12-2007 PL Liverpool W 1-0 A 0 Carlos Tevez 43'
11. 29-12-2007 PL West Ham United L 1-2 A 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 14' Anton Ferdinand 77', Matthew Upson 82'
12. 01-01-2008 PL Birmingham City W 1-0 H 0 Carlos Tevez 25'
13. 05-01-2008 FAC Aston Villa W 2-0 A 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 81', Wayne Rooney 89'
14. 19-01-2008 PL Reading W 2-0 A 0 Wayne Rooney 77', Cristiano Ronaldo 90'+3
15. 27-01-2008 FAC Tottenham Hotspur W 3-1 H 0 Carlos Tevez 38', Cristiano Ronaldo 69' (pen), 88' Robbie Keane 24'
16. 30-01-2008 PL Portsmouth W 2-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 10', 13'
17. 02-02-2008 PL Tottenham Hotspur D 1-1 A 0 Carlos Tevez 90'+4 *Dimitar Berbatov 20'
18. 10-02-2008 PL Manchester City L 1-2 H 0 Michael Carrick 90'+2 Darius Vassell 24', Benjani Mwaruwari 45'
19. 20-02-2008 EC/UCL Olympique Lyonnais D 1-1 A 0 Carlos Tevez 87' Karim Benzema 54'
20. 01-03-2008 PL Fulham W 3-0 A 1 Owen Hargreaves 15', Ji-Sung Park 44', Simon Davies 72' (o.g.)
21. 04-03-2008 EC/UCL Olympique Lyonnais W 1-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 41'
22. 08-03-2008 FAC Portsmouth L 0-1 H 0 Sully Muntari 78' (pen)
23. 19-03-2008 PL Bolton Wanderers W 2-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 9', 20'
24. 29-03-2008 PL Aston Villa W 4-0 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 17', Carlos Tevez 33', Wayne Rooney 53', 70'
25. 01-04-2008 EC/UCL Roma W 2-0 A 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 39', Wayne Rooney 66'
26. 06-04-2008 PL Middlesbrough D 2-2 A 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 10', Wayne Rooney 74' Alfonso Alves 35', 56'
27. 09-04-2008 EC/UCL Roma W 1-0 H 0 Carlos Tevez 70'
28. 13-04-2008 PL Arsenal W 2-1 H 1 Cristiano Ronaldo 54' (pen), Owen Hargreaves 72' Emmanuel Adebayor 48'
29. 23-04-2008 EC/UCL Barcelona D 0-0 A 0
30. 26-04-2008 PL Chelsea L 1-2 A 0 Wayne Rooney 56' Michael Ballack 45'+1, 86' (pen)
31. 29-04-2008 EC/UCL Barcelona W 1-0 H 0 Paul Scholes 14'
32. 03-05-2008 PL West Ham United W 4-1 H 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 3', 24', Carlos Tevez 26', Michael Carrick 59' Dean Ashton 28'
33. 11-05-2008 PL Wigan Athletic W 2-0 A 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 33' (pen), Ryan Giggs 80'
34. 21-05-2008 EC/UCL Chelsea D 1-1 N 0 Cristiano Ronaldo 26' Frank Lampard 45'
35. 13-09-2008 PL Liverpool L 1-2 A 0 Carlos Tevez 3' Wesley Brown 26' (o.g.), Ryan Babel 77'
36. 17-09-2008 EC/UCL Villarreal D 0-0 H 0
37. 21-09-2008 PL Chelsea D 1-1 A 0 Ji-Sung Park 18' Salomon Kalou 80'
38. 02-05-2010 PL Sunderland W 1-0 A 0 Nani 28'
39. 06-11-2010 PL Wolves W 2-1 H 0 Ji-Sung Park 45', 90'+3 *Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 66'
 

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