attempts at rehabilitation . '' The Canada-born star arrived at United from German outfit Bayern Munich in 2007 , but only made 27 appearances for Alex Ferguson 's team due to persistent injury problems relating to the tendons in his knee . `` They said I would be fit for the start of pre-season but , after that , I never got back on my feet , '' Hargreaves was reported as saying in British newspaper The Guardian . `` My tendon was never the same . They said my tendon was good , but it felt like I was made out of glass . `` We treated it and it got significantly worse through the injections . That obviously had a huge impact . Basically , I was left to pick up the pieces , which was incredibly frustrating . That was surgery , and that was 18 months gone . '' But United denied Hargreaves ' claims , with the statement continuing to say : `` United does not acknowledge any validity in the comments Owen is alleged to have made . `` Manchester United has some of the best sports medical staff in world sport , who
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manchester United have hit back at Owen Hargreaves after their former midfielder claimed he had been mistreated by the English champions ' medical staff . Hargreaves , who joined United 's archrivals Manchester City in August after his contract at Old Trafford expired , was reported in the British press as having said he felt like a guinea pig during an injury plagued four-year spell with the Red Devils . The England midfielder was speaking after making a goal-scoring debut for City in their 2-0 Carling Cup win over Birmingham City on Wednesday . `` Manchester United is disappointed with Owen Hargreaves ' remarks after the game on Wednesday , '' read a statement on the three-time European champions ' website . What are the reasons behind Man Utd 's flying start ? `` The club gave him the best possible care for three years and is as disappointed as anyone he was not able to play a part in the team 's success at that time . `` It has shared all the medical records with Manchester City and is comfortable with the actions taken by its medical staff at each step of his many