I'm joining Mikel Arteta's team – I sparked drama at Man Utd trying to force Liverpool switch

Former Manchester United star and incoming Arsenal coach Gabriel Heinze was once hailed as a future legend at the Red Devils.

After signing from PSG in 2004, he quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful with his passionate performances and later claiming a Premier League title - until his controversial attempt to leave.

Heinze's subsequent actions were seen as an act of self-destruction, as the Argentinian star tarnished his United legacy by trying to force a move to Liverpool in the summer of 2007. In doing so, he violated one of English football's most sacred unwritten rules: players do not switch directly between United and their fiercest rivals.

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Now 47, Heinze is set to join Mikel Arteta's coaching team at Arsenal ahead of the new season, as part of a back-room reshuffle following the departure of former assistant Carlos Cuesta to Parma.

His return to England will undoubtedly stir memories of one of the most contentious transfer sagas in British football history, when Heinze sought to cross the M62 divide and link up with then-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, reports the Mirror.

The proposed move would have made him the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to move directly between the two clubs. However, the potential union of Heinze and Liverpool remains a stern 'What if?' scenario, as former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson put his foot down to ensure the defender's wish would never come true.

The saga commenced when Heinze's representative, Roberto Rodriguez, was allegedly told by United's then-chief executive David Gill that his client could depart for £6.8million. Yet the Red Devils hadn't anticipated that the defender would push for a move to their fiercest adversaries.

Liverpool subsequently submitted a bid matching United's asking price. Nevertheless, the Old Trafford hierarchy rejected the Reds' approach, much to Heinze's frustration, prompting legal intervention.

"I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze. We can put that to bed right now and we have done so," Ferguson told Sky Sports at the time. The iconic United manager also insisted his club held all the cards regarding the transfer. Benitez, meanwhile, was left bewildered by United's unwillingness to negotiate.

"It's clear he's a player we like and he's a very good player," the Spanish boss said. "That's the reason why they don't want him to leave for us."

In a further development to one of the Premier League's most acrimonious transfer battles, it subsequently transpired that Crystal Palace had been approached by a South American agency to purchase Heinze, before immediately selling him on to Liverpool. This arrangement would supposedly have earned the Eagles £1m, as disclosed by former Palace chairman Simon Jordan in his autobiography, Be Careful What You Wish For.

"My stance was no way were we getting involved and I told [CEO Phil] Alexander to contact David Gill, Manchester United's chief executive, and tell him of these attempted shenanigans, which he duly did," Jordan wrote.

The dispute over Heinze's potential move to Liverpool escalated to a Premier League arbitration panel, with Jordan's testimony playing a crucial role in the outcome that favoured United. Despite Heinze and his agent's efforts, the panel ruled against the player's desired switch to Anfield.

Heinze expressed his frustration to the Daily Mail following the decision, saying: "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."

Liverpool had anticipated an appeal from Heinze, but it never came to pass as United eventually accepted an offer from Real Madrid.

"I don't have many regrets from my career as a footballer, but that episode with Ferguson [has] to be one of them," Heinze said years later. "I spent three years in Manchester and had some great moments and I regret [leaving the club] a lot."

Post-United, Heinze's career saw him turn out for clubs such as Real, Marseille and Roma before retiring in 2014. The former Argentina international has since taken up management, although he has been without a post since November 2023.

Arteta and Heinze, former team-mates at PSG, are set to reunite at the Emirates Stadium. It's anticipated that Heinze's move to another of United's biggest rivals will be without any hiccups this time around.