Injury-plagued Hargreaves eyes move to City

The 30-year-old former Manchester United midfielder was beleived to be in talks with City yesterday, having left Old Trafford at the end of last season when his contract expired.

Hargreaves was plagued by injuries, having had operations on both knees, in the latter stages of his United career and made just four appearances in three seasons.

However, in a shock move Mancini is considering giving the former Bayern Munich player a chance with what would, considering his history, most likely be a pay-as-you-play deal.

Hart, at an England press conference ahead of Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria, was asked about the possibility of Hargreaves joining.

“It would be a good signing. Obviously, Owen Hargreaves has done great for Bayern Munich,” he said. “He has struggled a bit since he came to Manchester United but that is not down to ability, just his fitness.

“He was a very important England player. If he can get back to that form, obviously he would be an asset.”

Hargreaves, voted England’s best player in the World Cup in Germany in 2006, joined United from Bayern Munich for £18m the following year.

He played in the 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea in Moscow but then began to suffer with knee problems, restricting him to four appearances in three seasons.

Hargreaves lasted just 10 minutes of his comeback against Wolves last September and United opted not to renew his contract as a result.

Wayne Rooney said he wished his former United and England team-mate good luck as he tried to relaunch his career.

“I wish him luck and I hope he gets back,” said Rooney. “Everyone knows that when he’s fully fit he’s a great player, he’s a different type of midfielder to what we’ve had in England.”

Rooney also tipped some of United’s emerging youngsters to force their way into the England reckoning in time for Euro 2012 – should Fabio Capello’s side qualify as expected.

Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley all accompanied Rooney to England’s training base in Watford on Monday.

“They could be key players at Euro 2012,” he said. “They have done well for the Under-21s in the tournament just gone and the manager (Capello) has recognised that and brought them into the squad.”