Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Owen Hargeaves is desperate to play football again following his move to Manchester City.
The midfielder's contract expired at Old Trafford over the summer after four injury-plagued years with the Premier League champions.
"The boy is desperate to get somewhere," said Ferguson.
"You train to be a footballer all your life and you want to make sure you have a good career.
"Unfortunately for us, he didn't play enough football. These things can happen."
City manager Roberto Mancini has said that the 30-year-old could be fit to play in two weeks.