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Owen: United treated me like a guinea pig

Comment: 0 September 23rd, 2011 by: admin

WHO’S to blame for Owen Hargreaves knee misery?

According to him, it’s no one else but Manchester United.

A day after shining in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Birmingham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, Hargreaves claimed United mishandled the injury that threatened to end his career.

The 30-year-old midfielder said a series of injections at United three years ago ruined his time at the club.

Hargreaves’ career appeared to be over after knee injuries and muscle problems confined him to play in just 26 starts in four years with the Red Devils.

“I had a bit of tendon problem. I played and it got a little bit worse,’’ he said. “We treated it and got significantly worse after that through the injections I had.  After that my tendon was never the same.’’

Injecting a solution into ligaments is an established medical procedure to stiffen and strengthen the knee tissues but Hargreaves said he felt he was made out of glass after the prolotherapy injections. “After the injections, they said my tendon was good but it felt like I was made out of glass.’’

Hargreaves told The Guardian that he felt “like a guinea pig’’ for a lot of those treatments,’’ while adding it made a huge impact on his career “because that was 18 months gone.’’

“Everybody tries his best. They said that I wouldn’t have any side effects from the injections. That wasn’t the case and if I’d known, I wouldn’t have done it,’’ added the former England international.

Despite his revelation, Hargreaves said he holds no ill feelings against United.

It was not proven that United committed a malpractice on Hargreaves or that his injuries were not diagnosed properly.

United have yet to air their side on Hargreaves’ allegations.

Hargreaves made a brilliant return to competitive football on Wednesday by scoring for City after only 17 minutes of play at the Etihad Stadium.

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