Hargreaves owns up to frustrations

New Manchester City signing Owen Hargreaves has admitted his time away from football was ‘incredibly frustrating’.

Hargreaves, who signed for City on a free transfer, made just four appearances in the last three seasons for Manchester United as persistent knee and hamstring problems sidelined him extensively, almost cutting short his playing career.

But the 30-year-old is hopeful his problems with injury are behind him, after a gruelling pre-season.

“It was incredibly frustrating,” Hargreaves said.

“I missed Champions League finals, I missed World Cups, I missed so many games that I’d have loved to be a part of.”

“It’s difficult for people outside looking in. You think ‘there’s something going wrong there. The guy is made out of glass,’ but anyone who knows me and knows the way I play will know I take it very seriously. I’m very professional.”

In a bid to prove his fitness, the England midfielder posted a series of videos of himself exercising on popular website YouTube.

Despite not being with a club in the summer, he attracted the interest of Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion, before signing with City after their bids for the likes of Mark Van Bommel and Daniele De Rossi failed.

“I’ve basically just spent all summer training and seeing improvements in myself, that I can work hard on a sustained basis that is demanded of a professional football player,” he said.

“I had made my mind up this summer, I just wanted to train hard and see how it felt. I didn’t use an agent. I think in life you can’t chase things, you just have to let things happen.”

“I’m just happy that that chapter is behind me, and I’m looking forward to getting back to playing football and having a good time joining in with the lads and competing again. I’m looking forward to the future.”

Hargreaves could make his City debut against Wigan on September 10.