He was bought as an expensive CM (at the time) to improve on Carrick & Scholes. He played CM at the start of the season, we went to 3 in midfield. He was dropped after that initial run of games in a midfield 3. I dont remember if we changed tactics back to 2 CMs, that may or may not have been the case. But he wasnt starting in CM anymore, we were back to Scholes and Carrick. Carrick played 31 times, Scholes 24 times including an injury from October till Jan.
Hargreaves played RB and in wide midfield for several games. Which position was he first choice? He played 23 games with a bunch of them starting in CM at the start. I dont have the stats, maybe someone can find them somewhere. But probably a good 7-8 games in that midfield 3 at the start of the season. So he had maybe 15 games between RB, LM and RM right? So which one was he first choice?
Wes Brown played 36 games that season so he was first choice RB. Giggs played 31 times, Ronaldo 34 and Nani 26. Was Giggs playing CM at that point? I honestly dont remember. But even if we look at just Nani and Ronaldo they played more games in wide positions than Hargreaves that season.
So if he wasnt first choice CM, RB or in a wide midfield role where was he first choice that season?
He had a run of games where he filled in and did a job. He scored a nice freekick against Arsenal. He did not however cement a place as a CM like we bought him for