Hargreaves released by City

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired.

The former England international, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, joined Roberto Mancini's side last August after leaving city rivals United.

However, he played just four times - but only once in the Barclays Premier League with a 13-minute appearance in October - and scored a solitary goal in a Carling Cup victory over Birmingham. The 31-year-old's last outing came in the 3-2 FA Cup third-round defeat to United on January 8 when he played the final eight minutes.

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