Heinze regrets Old Trafford exit

Former Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze has expressed his regrets over his departure from Old Trafford.

The Argentina defender spent three years at Old Trafford, during which time he won a Premier League title and became a crowd favourite for his no-nonsense tackling.

However, his time with the club ended in bitterness.

In declaring a desire to leave in 2007, Heinze demanded to join Liverpool, something totally unpalatable to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The pair exchanged angry words before Ferguson eventually got his way.

Heinze joined Real Madrid instead, after which Ferguson revealed the defender had first asked for a transfer within 12 months of his arrival from Paris St Germain.

Now at Marseille, who tackle United in the Champions League on Wednesday, the 32-year-old accepts the situation was not handled particularly well.

“I regret it a lot, especially the last three months,” Heinze told the Manchester Evening News.

“I am a strong person and so is Alex Ferguson. I took the decision I did and I regret it, especially for the fans and I hope it has not tarnished me with them.”

That Heinze wanted to leave in the first place was a disappointment to United. Trying to quit for Liverpool merely inflamed passions.

“I don’t really want to talk about what happened four years ago,” he said.

“Maybe someday I will tell the whole story.

“But I knew the risks and was aware of what being at a club like Liverpool would mean.”

Heinze has met Ferguson just once since, a brief encounter in Qatar when Argentina met Brazil in a friendly.

“I was really happy to see him,” said Heinze.

“When I was at Manchester United, Ferguson impressed me a lot. He gave me a winning culture.”

“I had three wonderful years there. It is a great club and it is not so very different now from four years ago.”

“It is the same coach. He is the one who sends the message that it is always to win.”

“The players may change but the philosophy stays the same.”