Ferguson won't sell Heinze to Liverpool (26 Jul 2007 05:10 GMT)
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed he wants to sign Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United.
Hovewer, Alex Ferguson is adamant Gabriel Heinze won't be moving to Liverpool.
Man United revealed Friday that it had rejected a "significant offer" from the Reds for the Argentina defender.
"I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze," manager Alex Ferguson said. "No matter what his agent thinks, we are in the driving seat. If there was a significant offer from overseas, we would discuss that internally and discuss it with the player."
Heinze joined United in 2004 for 6.9 million pounds from Paris St. Germain. He went on to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award ? based on United fans' votes ? in his first season at the club. But Heinze missed most of the 2005-06 season after injuring the cruciate ligament in his knee during United's Champions League match with Villarreal in September 2005.
Last season, he was used to cover injuries at center back, losing his position as first-choice left back to Patrice Evra.
Ferguson confirmed earlier this month that Heinze wanted to leave the club, and chief executive David Gill said it is still possible that Heinze will move - just not to Liverpool.
"We rejected it because it's Liverpool," Gill said. "We wouldn't sell a player to Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea."
source : Reuters