In his own words, it was “possibly the longest-running transfer saga” in football. But after a several months of prolonged pursuit, United finally signed Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in May 2007 for a fee of around £17million.

The Canadian-born, England international midfielder’s stock had risen dramatically in the previous year, and by the time he arrived at Old Trafford, he had become one of European football’s most highly-thought of defensive midfielders, having won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern.

After an injury-disrupted start to his United career, Hargreaves came to the fore

in the second half of the successful 2007/08 campaign with a string of tireless and confident performances in midfield and also, on occasion, at right-back. He capped a satisfying debut season with a superb penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out victory over Chelsea.

Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, to where his parents had moved from England in the early eighties, Owen left for Germany aged 16 to join Bayern Munich.

After earning his stripes in Bayern's youth ranks, Hargreaves made the step up to first-team football in August 2000. It would prove to be a highly successful season

as Bayern claimed both the 2000/01 Bundesliga title and the Champions League crown. Hargreaves remains one of only two English players to win the European Cup with a non-English club - the other being Steve McManaman.

The following season witnessed Hargreaves' breakthrough at international level. He was eligible for any one of the home nations, as well as Canada, and, had he delayed his decision, Germany under residency rules. He plumped for England, and after several impressive Under-21 displays, he was called into the senior squad in 2001.

Initially a squad player, it took until the

2006 World Cup in Germany for Hargreaves to truly be seen as a key man, and he was voted England Player of the Year in January 2007. So far he has played in two World Cups and a European Championships with his country.

Hargreaves brings vast experience to United’s midfield, as well as a determined, energetic and enthusiastic style. Partnering Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick or Anderson – or a combination of them – gives a well-balanced feel to United’s engine room.