Hargreaves set to speak

Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves is set to make a statement today after reports he has been fined for speaking out on his hopes of joining Manchester United.

The 25-year-old, acknowledged as England‘s best player at the World Cup, is wanted by the Old Trafford club.

Manager Alex Ferguson admitted last week that United were “hopeful” of concluding a deal.

The Bild newspaper has reported that Hargreaves has been fined by Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness.

Ferguson said last week: “It is in (chief executive) David Gill’s capable hands. He’s doing his best. You can never be confident but we are hopeful. We are dealing with a big club in Bayern Munich.

“The relationship between the two clubs has always been good.”

Hargreaves was omitted from the Bayern squad for Sunday‘s 2-1 Bundesliga win over Bochum with the club claiming the midfielder was suffering from flu.

The England international also played no part for Bayern in Tuesday night’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp.