It was possibly the surprise deal of the August transfer window but the signing of former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves by Roberto Mancini following an extensive medical represents either an astute bit of business by the Italian or a mistaken purchase.
Injury-prone Hargreaves convinced City he was fit enough to earn a 1 year deal after his release by United and had spent some time being courted by West Bromwich Albion before news of the shock signing emerged over the weekend.
It’s clear that Hargreaves will face a fight to get match fit, probably missing the visit to Munich to play in the Champions League against his former employers Bayern, but it’s possible that a fully fit Hargreaves could offer cover and perhaps even genuine competition for City’s combative midfield destroyer Nigel De Jong this season.
With an African Nations Cup campaign coming up in the new year it’s probable that the Toure brothers (Yaya and Kolo) may be unavailable for up to a month leaving City potentially short of cover at the vital mid-point of the season.
In other transfer deadline news Shaun Wright-Phillips left for QPR while Craig Bellamy signed for Liverpool.
Carlos Tevez had earlier conceded that he would have to stay at City as no acceptable offers had come in for him.