Sicknote Hargreaves in line for surprise Man City move

Owen Hargreaves, once of Manchester United and some self-promoting YouTube videos, is reportedly on the verge of signing for moneybags Manchester City.

The 30-year old with one of the worst injury records perhaps ever seen in football has been linked with a number of clubs since being released by Manchester United in the summer, but word of a possible move to United’s bitter rivals comes as a complete surprise.

Hargreaves joined United in the summer of 2007 and enjoyed a magnificent first campaign with the Red Devils before succumbing to the first of a series of injury problems in September 2008.

He made an attempted comeback last season against Wolves, but had to be withdrawn only a couple of minutes into the game after breaking down once again.

Understandably, United decided not to renew his contract at the end of last season, but eager to prove that he had still something to offer, Hargreaves posted a series of videos on YouTube, which showed him being put through his paces in a series of fitness drills.

Speaking at the weekend, Hargreaves revealed that he remains confident of playing 40 games this season and aims to force his way into Fabio Capello's plans for Euro 2012.

West Bromwich Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City were among those linked with Hargreaves, until this morning, when it emerged that he was having a medical (a very thorough one we imagine) at Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester with a view to joining Roberto Mancini’s side.

Having already shown interest in Mark Van Bommel and Daniele de Rossi, Mancini is obviously eager to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks and it seems as if Hargreaves may be the one to fit the bill, assuming he can stay fit that it is, which is a colossal assumption to make given his history.