Hargreaves still pushing for United switch
Owen Hargreaves is still keen to join Manchester United despite Bayern Munich's refusal to sell him.
Bayern have, according to German reports, turned down a bid of around £16.9m (€25m), but the England international, who is signed until 2010, has no intention of accepting he must stay at the club.
Asked if he will be sold before the transfer window closes on August 31, Hargreaves said in an interview with Bild newspaper: “That's not up to me any more. The general manager does not want to let me go. That is his right. But he certainly knows what I want.”
The Canadian-born midfielder believes a transfer to Manchester would be a dream move.
“That would be a great challenge,” he added. “I am an English international, a part of my family lives near Manchester. A lot of things come together. No other football player on this planet is in a similar situation.”
Hargreaves also defended his decision to sign an early contract extension in October 2005.
“At that time it was a big honour for me. But things have taken a different course,” said Hargreaves who impressed in the World Cup for England. “I have a huge chance to establish myself in the national team.”
He also admitted he was annoyed at being reprimanded by Bayern manager Uli Hoeness in front of his team-mates.
“I was not pleased but I´m not sensitive. I told him what I thought of it afterwards,” he stated. “I have given everything for Bayern Munich in the last nine years and I want to be treated with respect. I just want them to accept that Manchester would be a big step for me.
“It is not about money. The huge transfer fee Manchester is willing to pay honours me, but it's not my fault. And I have a good contract with Bayern.”
The 25-year-old said he would “keep giving everything” for Bayern should a transfer fail to materialise.
“I would have to accept that,” he admitted. “But the whole soap opera has to come to an end. I never wanted it to escalate. It would be best if we could all find a solution now.”
