City show door to Hargreaves

Former England international Owen Hargreaves has been released by Premier League champions Manchester City.

Ex-England midfielder heads list of players released by Mancini

Former England international Owen Hargreaves has been released by Premier League champions Manchester City. Injury-hit Hargreaves, 31, made just four appearances for the Blues following his shock switch to the Etihad Stadium last August. The midfielder had been released by neighbours Manchester United after a catalogue of injuries restricted him to four outings in three seasons at Old Trafford. But he was snapped up on a one-year deal by Roberto Mancini after posting daily fitness videos on YouTube in an attempt to attract a new club. Hargreaves heads the list of four players released by City, which includes Israeli midfielder Gai Assulin, plus Academy graduates Ahmed Benali and Sean Tse. A City statement said: "We thank all our departing players for their services to the club and we wish them the best for the future."