Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 25, 2006 11:48:14 GMT
Owen Hargreaves insists he still hopes to win a dream move to Manchester United, but admits the matter is out of his hands.
The 25-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder impressed at this summer's World Cup in Germany and was voted England's best player of the tournament in a Football Association poll.
United and Munich remain deadlocked on a deal for the Calgary-born player though, and with the August 31 transfer deadline looming large the player has refused to give up on a move to Old Trafford.
"I've given everything to Bayern Munich for the last nine years and I want to be treated with respect," Hargreaves told Bild.
"I simply want it to be accepted that Manchester would be a great step for me."
The Bundesliga champions insist that the player is not for sale, and have even threatened to report Sir Alex Ferguson's men to Fifa if they do not give up their pursuit of the wantaway player.
"The manager doesn't want to let me go. That's his right. But he knows exactly what I want," Hargreaves stressed.
"It's simply a great challenge. I'm an England player, part of my family lives near Manchester. A lot of things come together."
Hargreaves has meanwhile defended his decision to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena last year until 2010.
"It was a great honour for me at the time," he continued.
"In the meantime, a lot of things have developed for me in a different way. I have a great chance to become a key player for England."
With Michael Ballack having departed for Chelsea at the end of last season, Hargreaves' role for Munich has become even more important and the player believes he could still fulfil the weight of expectation in Germany if required.
"The coach knows what I can do," he added.
"And so do the fans. I always give everything I have. That won't change no matter where I play."
The 25-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder impressed at this summer's World Cup in Germany and was voted England's best player of the tournament in a Football Association poll.
United and Munich remain deadlocked on a deal for the Calgary-born player though, and with the August 31 transfer deadline looming large the player has refused to give up on a move to Old Trafford.
"I've given everything to Bayern Munich for the last nine years and I want to be treated with respect," Hargreaves told Bild.
"I simply want it to be accepted that Manchester would be a great step for me."
The Bundesliga champions insist that the player is not for sale, and have even threatened to report Sir Alex Ferguson's men to Fifa if they do not give up their pursuit of the wantaway player.
"The manager doesn't want to let me go. That's his right. But he knows exactly what I want," Hargreaves stressed.
"It's simply a great challenge. I'm an England player, part of my family lives near Manchester. A lot of things come together."
Hargreaves has meanwhile defended his decision to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena last year until 2010.
"It was a great honour for me at the time," he continued.
"In the meantime, a lot of things have developed for me in a different way. I have a great chance to become a key player for England."
With Michael Ballack having departed for Chelsea at the end of last season, Hargreaves' role for Munich has become even more important and the player believes he could still fulfil the weight of expectation in Germany if required.
"The coach knows what I can do," he added.
"And so do the fans. I always give everything I have. That won't change no matter where I play."