In 2007, Owen Hargreaves was one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football.

Despite the fact he'd missed the majority of his final season at Bayern Munich with a broken leg, everyone knew how good the Canada-born maestro was.

Manchester United were clearly aware as they decided to spend £17 million on him in the summer of 2007.

And after the conclusion of the 2007/08 season, the transfer appeared to be a bit of a masterstroke by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Hargreaves enjoyed a fine campaign, scoring a free-kick in a crucial Premier League home match against Arsenal and playing the full 120 minutes in the Champions League final against Chelsea.

He even scored his penalty during the drama-filled shootout in the Moscow rain.

MOSCOW - MAY 21: Owen Hargreaves of Manchester United beats Petr Cech of Chelsea as he scores a penalty in the shoot out during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21, 2008 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

But after 2007/08, injuries completely ruined Hargreaves' United career. The midfielder-turned-pundit made just five appearances in all competitions over the course of the next three seasons.

Because of that, Ferguson took aim at Hargreaves in his autobiography with some fierce criticism.

The Scotsman wrote: “When I signed him there was something about him I didn’t like. It turned out to be a disaster.”

MOSCOW - MAY 20: Owen Hargreaves takes a break as his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson looks on during the Manchester United training session ahead of the Champions League Final at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 20, 2008 in Moscow, Russia. The Champions League Final will take place in Moscow on May 21, 2008. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Ouch. Ferguson also slammed Hargreaves for apparently not having “nearly enough determination” and always opting “for the easy choice” in training sessions at Carrington.

Soon after the release of the book, Hargreaves was asked to give his taken on the criticism by BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey and the former United player refused to let his emotions get the better of him.

Take a look at his classy response here...

Video: Hargreaves on Fergie's criticism of him

“For it (our relationship) to deteriorate like that was very disappointing and I think it’s a conversation he and I need to have personally,” Hargreaves said.

“Anyone who knows me will know that professionalism is one of my strongest traits. I always give my best. A lot of people who have rang me this week were very surprised by what he said, myself included.

“I think he said a lot of things in there that were with emotion. He was very disappointed obviously with the way things turned out.

“The first season we were very successful. I was able to play a big part in winning the Champions League.

“After the treatment I had in that summer I virtually never played again.

“For any young player, to be 27 and central to England’s and Manchester United’s plans, but then to never play again was very difficult to deal with – I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

“Relationships break down but at times I think it was a little bit of miscommunication because there were so many people involved. My only regret is that I didn’t go to him sooner but I didn’t realise the severity of the situation until it was too late.”

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Fair play, Owen.

Hargreaves clearly wasn't happy, which is fair enough, but he articulated his side of the story incredibly well and didn't even come close to resorting to petty insults in response.