A former Manchester United player has now admitted that he was “very privileged” to move from an elite European club to Old Trafford to play under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester United lifted their last Premier League title under legendary former Red Devils and Aberdeen manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2012-13 campaign.
Ferguson’s reign as United manager came to an end in 2013 and the Premier League club has struggled to climb back to the top of English football since his retirement.
The 83-year-old iconic Scotsman left Aberdeen and arrived at Old Trafford in 1986, with Ferguson replacing former manager Ron Atkinson at the Premier League club.
Ferguson, who is one of the best managers of all time, overcame a tough start to life in England before ushering in a period of incredible dominance for United.
During his remarkable 26-year reign, the United legend lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups with the club.
Owen Hargreaves reveals why he left Bayern Munich and signed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd side
Manchester United signed Owen Hargreaves from German side Bayern Munich in 2007, with the Red Devils reportedly paying a £17m transfer fee for him.
Owen Hargreaves impressed during his time at Bayern Munich and lifted four Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and three German Cups with the club.
The former United midfielder’s final season at Bayern was plagued by injury and Hargreaves’ injury woes would continue during his time at Old Trafford.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Hargreaves admitted that he could not resist the opportunity to leave the Allianz Arena and play under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“People don’t tend to leave a big club like Bayern of their own accord,” he said.
“Bayern is a great club, a massive club, and if they want a player, they usually keep him, as the possibility of winning trophies is almost guaranteed.
“But I knew United were interested and, with the team they had at the time and Sir Alex Ferguson in charge, I was keen.”
Owen Hargreaves opens up on four former Man Utd teammates and all of them speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson about signing him
Owen Hargreaves was reduced to only 39 appearances during his time at United and the former England international netted only twice for the Red Devils.
The former Bayern Munich star left Old Trafford in 2011 and went on to sign for United’s crosstown rivals Manchester City on a free transfer.
Hargreaves has said that former teammates Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes had spoken to United legend Ferguson about signing him.
“I knew all of the boys from England – Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney – and I knew they had been talking to Sir Alex about me,” he continued.
“They knew that I had the right mindset for United.
“I felt very privileged to swap a club like Bayern for one like Manchester United, with the history those two clubs have.
“Ferguson didn’t have to say much to convince me. I was honoured he wanted me – I couldn’t say yes quickly enough.”
Hargreaves lifted both the Premier League title and the Champions League trophy during his injury-hit spell with United after his move from Bayern.
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