"After the game I went and said 'thank you for the lesson'" - Ex-Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves opens up on being humbled by Dutch legend
Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves recently opened up on his experience of playing against Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf. The 43-year-old recalled an incident ahead of England's game against the Netherlands in the second semi-final of EURO 2024.
Seedorf racked up 128 goals and 137 assists in 873 senior games at club level and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. He also made 87 appearances for the Netherlands, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists. He remains the only player to have lifted the Champions League title with three different teams (Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998, and Milan in 2003 and 2007).
Hargreaves mentioned how Seedorf and his Portuguese midfield partner Rui Costa controlled the game during a fixture between Manchester United and AC Milan.
Speaking on an episode of Legends Lounge on the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel, the Englishman said:
“I remember the ones who really did me (on the pitch), who after the game I went and said 'thank you for the lesson' was Clarence Seedorf. Him and Rui Costa in that AC Milan team (humbled me). As a young kid you have a bit of success, and I was always super respectful, but you also have to believe in yourself. You have to give yourself confidence going into a game thinking, ‘I’m going to get after these guys.'"
"Well they sent me all over the place. I went to them after the game and I said ‘thank you for the lesson’. It is important to get humbled because then you realise you’ve got to keep going," the ex-Manchester United man concluded.
"I think we're going to play better" - Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves previews England's EURO 2024 semifinal against Netherlands
Ex-Manchester United defensive midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes that England will 'play better' against the Netherlands in the semi-final of EURO 2024.
On the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel, Hargreaves claimed that he liked manager Gareth Southgate's three-at-the-back system implemented in the quarter-final against Switzerland. He also predicted a close win for the Three Lions, saying:
"I think we're going to play better. I like the back three, I think the balance is better... I think we'll beat the Netherlands 2-1. They're good, they've got Virgil (van Dijk) back there (alongside) Micky Van de Ven, (but) I think we're more talented than them for sure."
"I just want to see them (England) enjoy a bit more, just go mad aggressive, just go for it, throw the kitchen sink at it. We just play in one half, press, when we get the ball, play forward, run forward, we did that better (against Switzerland)," Hargreaves added.
England will take on Netherlands in an exciting EURO 2024 semi-final clash at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion on July 10.