Manchester United Hit Back at Hargreave's Audacious Comments

Since signing for city rivals Manchester City FC, Owen Hargreaves has been praised by both fans of United and other clubs just based on the mere fact that he has overcome some serious setbacks and injuries and is now looking to open a new chapter regardless of the colours he represents.

Well that was until Owen now made some audacious claims that many of his setbacks were simply due to error at the the United medical bed.

Hargreaves, who had persistent tendinitis, had undergone double knee surgery during the 2008-09 season. Since the operations Hargreaves made a brief six minute appearance for United before being released at the end of the 2010-2011 season.

Now having scored on his home debut at Manchester City after over-coming his injury woes, he claims many of the medical treatments at United didn't solve any of his problems and that he was used as a guinea pig for most of the treatments.

Owen Hargreaves comments:

"I received some injections but my tendon was never the same," he is reported as saying in several newspapers.

"After the injections, I tried to get back on my feet and they said my tendon was good, but it felt like I was made out of glass. That obviously had a huge impact.

"With my tendon injury, I've had to be a guinea pig for a lot of these treatments. It's difficult. All the people there [at United] are lovely and everybody tries their best, but at times you come to a certain point where you need to make a decision.

"They said it would help. Basically, I was left to pick up the pieces, which was incredibly frustrating.

"I wanted to play. Everyone wanted me to play, so it's not really an option to say, 'sit it out and rest for six months'. With hindsight it's a lot easier, but I wish I had not had the injections."

For many United supporters these claims are seen as very unappreciative especially after the club did so much in terms of paying for treatment, surgeries and also keeping him on the pay-roll. 

It didn't take long for Sir Alex to respond to these claims, with the Scot backing his medical team. While the cub (Manchester United) will release a statement once they analyse the comments later today, Sir Alex had this to say:

"But as far as I'm concerned my medical staff are one of the main reasons Manchester United have been so successful over the last few years, there's no doubt about that.

"I have got a fantastic medical staff, great sports science."

"Do you think we would be successful if they were not 100 per cent brilliant?

"Our doctor and his five physios are fantastic - that is my opinion and that is more important than what anyone else has to say about it."

Manchester United (Club) Statement:

Manchester United is disappointed with Owen Hargreaves’ remarks after the game on Wednesday. The Club gave him the best possible care for three years and is as disappointed as anyone he was not able to play a part in the team’s success at that time. It has shared all the medical records with Manchester City and is comfortable with the actions taken by its medical staff at each step of his many attempts at rehabilitation.

United does not acknowledge any validity in the comments Owen is alleged to have made.

Manchester United has some of the best sports medical staff in world sport, who have made a significant contribution to United’s on-pitch success in recent seasons.

In your opinion do you see Owen Hargreaves as ungrateful since many would argue Manchester United has proved their quality both on an off the pitch with consistent performances over the last couple seasons, taking into consideration pre-season prep through the season.

or

Do you feel Owen Hargreaves having been out for such a long period could have been influenced by bad treatment?

An aspect of interest in terms of the quality of medical and coaching staff at Old Trafford in my personal opinion can be seen simply in the manner in which United manage their season, while many clubs fails to push 100 percent towards the latter end, United seem the strongest. That alone indicates players are managed brilliantly throughout the season.