Hargreaves, Vieira among big names without club

Injury-plagued England midfielder Owen Hargreaves and former France internationals Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires head a list of players released by Premier League clubs this offseason.

Hargreaves, who starred for England in the 2006 World Cup, leaves English champion Manchester United after playing just 11 minutes in the past two seasons.

Crosstown rival Manchester City has let the 35-year-old Vieira depart after 18 months at the club, while compatriot Pires is also looking for a new team following the midfielder's release from Aston Villa.

Other high-profile players now without a club are England defenders Matthew Upson (West Ham) and Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham), Hungary captain Zoltan Gera and Ghana fullback John Pantsil (both Fulham).