Source: Team_Talk
Hargreaves: I was a guinea pig
Owen Hargreaves has regrets about the way his knee injury problems were dealt with at Manchester United, claiming he felt like a "guinea pig".[LNB] The 30-year-old spent four seasons at Old Trafford, but persistent tendinitis resulted in the player undergoing double knee surgery during the 2008/09 season.[LNB]Following the operations, Hargreaves played just six minutes of first-team football as he battled to regain fitness and was eventually released by United at the end of last campaign.[LNB]He is now enjoying a new lease of life after signing for Manchester City and scored on his debut against Birmingham in the Carling Cup in midweek.[LNB]However, Hargreaves claims the medical treatment he received at United did more harm than good.[LNB]"I received some injections but my tendon was never the same," he is reported as saying in several newspapers.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"They said it would help. Basically, I was left to pick up the pieces, which was incredibly frustrating.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Hargreaves is now hoping his injury nightmare is behind him, although he is aware he will have to manage himself well in order to avoid more knee problems in the future.[LNB]"I had big surgery, so we're just going to have to be smart," he said.[LNB]"My physical function is very good, it's tip-top, but sadly, I'm not 18 any more, so I need more recovery and more time in the gym to prepare for each training session.[LNB]"It's just about getting some repetition in my training and trying to find some balance, staying sharp and fit and looking after some of the issues I've had.[LNB]"United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, with Barcelona and Real Madrid. They have a lot of wonderful people there.[LNB]"I'm sad for myself that I wasn't able to play a bigger part at Old Trafford - I really envisaged it going differently. It didn't really materialise the way I anticipated, but this is a new chapter in my life."[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini believes Hargreaves could be a regular member of his squad within a month if his present progress continues.[LNB]"I am happy for Owen," said Mancini.[LNB]"He did very well. He played without a problem. As a first game, it was good. I hope he can continue to play without a problem. This is the most important thing.[LNB]"The crowd gave him a great reception. This guy deserves everything. After two years with so many injuries, for an important player like him to come back is really difficult.[LNB]"He could be an important player. If he doesn't have a problem in the next weeks, he could be part of my first team in a month or two. It depends."
