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Hargreaves fulfills his dream

Despite emerging as one of England's standout players, Canadian-born Owen Hargreaves has never played league soccer here.

Now the 26-year-old Calgary native hopes his experience from playing a decade in Europe will help Manchester United defend its league title — and win a coveted Champions League trophy.

"The Premier League is a very unique league, it is played at such a high pace," Hargreaves said Monday after being officially introduced by the club. "I look forward to adapting as soon as possible to the style of play."

Hargreaves signed in May from Bayern Munich and was introduced to reporters Monday, along with newcomer Nani from Sporting Lisbon.

"I've always wanted and expected I would play in England, I just never expected it would be via Germany," Hargreaves said. "I had the opportunity to play Champions League football for seven seasons and those are the experiences a lot of players wouldn't have had playing in England."

United has never announced the transfer fee it paid to acquire Hargreaves, but British papers suggested it was about 17 million pounds (C$36.3 million).

Hargreaves is not the first Canadian-born player to play for United. Jimmy Nicholl, who was born in Hamilton but grew up in Belfast, played for United from 1974 to 1982, scoring six goals in 247 games.

Roy Killin, who was born in Toronto but raised in Manchester, signed with United in 1947.

Like Hargreaves, Nicholl chose to play for the country of his father's birth, rather than Canada. Nicholl won 73 caps for Northern Ireland.

Hargreaves left Canada at the age of 16 to join Bayern Munich.

Now, Hargreaves will be a key asset as United sets its aim on a Champions League title, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

"Last season was the third (Champions League) semifinal we've failed in and we don't like that. I think we should have been doing better," said Ferguson, whose team also lost May's FA Cup final to Chelsea. "(Hargreaves) brings real speed to the midfield and real energy.

"Playing for seven years in the Bundesliga brings us a different type of experience."

Playing abroad, Hargreaves struggled for years to find support from England fans. But they voted him player of the year in 2006 after a strong performance in the World Cup — thanks largely to the continued confidence from then England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"I appreciate (Eriksson's) support in me along the way when other people possibly at times didn't agree," Hargreaves said. "He showed faith in me because he believed in me as a player and I tried to repay that back at the World Cup."

But he won't extend that gratitude to upcoming Premier League clashes with rival Manchester City, where Eriksson is now the manager.

"They are two very different clubs and the ambitions of both clubs are very different so I think Man United is in a league of its own," Hargreaves said. "Obviously him joining City there is great potential, but obviously there's a lot ahead of him."

Hargreaves is expected to team with Michael Carrick in the central midfield, as well as provide cover to the defence.

"Every player brings his qualities and mine are in the defensive midfield area," he said. "Hopefully I can win some tackles, keep a clean sheet for the back four and get the ball to the fantastic offensive players."