I’m Man Utd title winner who tried to leave for Liverpool in ‘fight for freedom’ – it didn’t end well

8 months ago 71

A FORMER Manchester United hero regrets trying to leave Old Trafford for rivals Liverpool back in 2007.

No one has moved directly between the two foes since Phil Chisnall in 1964 when he swapped Manchester for Merseyside.

Gabriel Heinze almost broke that streak when he fought “for the freedom” to join the Reds in a heated Premier League hearing after United stood in his way.

Heinze was enjoying a successful three-year stint under Sir Alex Ferguson that saw him winning the Prem title.

But the former centre-back saw first-team opportunities dwindle and thus the Red Devils’ then chief executive David Gill allowed him to leave.

However, an offer worth a minimum of €10million (£6.8m) had to be made for the ex-defender.

Liverpool saw the opportunity and tabled a £6.8m bid with the Argentine very keen to join Rafa Benitez‘s side.

However, United refused to even consider the proposal as their rivals continued to grow under Benitez in the Premier League and Champions League.

In fact, the Manchester giants wouldn’t let Heinze join any of their direct Premier League challengers, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

That sparked a heated battle as the then Argentina international felt he had the right to join any club he wanted.

Heinze said at the time: “My fight is for the freedom to negotiate with any club.

“United never wanted me to leave for one of the big clubs, but this anti-Liverpool clause is incredible.”

A deal between Liverpool and Heinze never materialised as Real Madrid swooped in and met United’s demands, while the player was more than happy to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

But the 45-year-old insists he regrets all the drama when he looks back at it.

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Heinze said: “I spent three years in Manchester and had some great moments and I regret it [leaving the club] a lot.

“There are a lot of things I regret from the last months but I am a strong personality, Sir Alex is a strong personality.

“I took the decision and, looking back, I regret it because it meant leaving a great club and their supporters.

“I was aware of the rivalry [with Liverpool], I knew the risk of going from Manchester to Liverpool and what it means.

“I hope it doesn’t tarnish the way they [the fans] see me and they will remember the three years I had in the team.”