Source: Daily_Mail
Gabriel Heinze expresses regret at Manchester United fall-out
Gabriel Heinze faces his old club Manchester United for the first time on Wednesday evening admitting he regrets the acrimonious manner of his departure from Old Trafford. [LNB]The combative Argentine became a fans' favourite during his three years at United, but fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson over his appearance at the 2006 World Cup and enraged supporters by trying to force through a ?6.8million move to Liverpool the following summer. [LNB] Regret: But Heinze insists he is still on good terms with United boss Ferguson [LNB]Heinze took United to a Premier League tribunal but lost and was sold to Real Madrid instead.[LNB] However, Ferguson re-ignited their war of words a year later by claiming the Spaniards only signed him as a ploy to tempt his friend Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu. [LNB]Heinze dismissed the United manager's comments as 'a work of absolute fiction' at the time. However, the 32-year-old was in conciliatory mood last night when asked about facing his old manager in the Stade Velodrome. [LNB]Old school: Heinze enjoyed three years at United [LNB]Asked if he regretted leaving Manchester under a cloud, Heinze said: 'I regret it a lot, especially the last month. But I am a strong personality and so is Alex Ferguson. But it was my decision to leave. [LNB]'Maybe the last month didn't go as planned. I don't think fans will think like that, but remember the three years I had there. So I hope the way I left won't tarnish the fans' view of me.'[LNB] Heinze revealed the only time he has crossed paths with Ferguson since was when Argentina played Brazil in Qatar last November. [LNB]He said: 'I was really happy to see him. I spent three wonderful years in Manchester and they were great moments with a great club.' [LNB]Ferguson avoided any further acrimony last night by blaming Heinze's agent for the fall-out. 'I had no issue at all with Gabby when he left,' insisted the United boss. 'He was a fantastic player for us, a warrior.[LNB] 'I thought he had a bad agent who engineered the situation and tried to trick (chief executive) David Gill. We then proved it had no foundation and stopped the agent's attempts to get him to Liverpool at the time.'[LNB] The magic's faded... but United are still winners says Marseille coach Deschamps Valencia in line for Manchester United return in FA Cup quarter-finalFriend or foe? Evra to put Heinze friendship on back burner in MarseilleManchester United FC news from across the web [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gabriel Heinze, David Gill Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Argentina, Qatar, Brazil
