Heinze catch-up sourced by Fergusson (10 Jun 2006 16:38 GMT)
Argentina full-back Gabriel Heinze has praised Sir Alex Ferguson's role in his comeback from a cruciate ligament injury. Heinze has no doubt he will owe the Manchester United manager a big debt.
"Sir Alex spoke to me regularly and continued to give me encouragement," said the 28-year-old. "I suffered that horrible injury to my knee. It was a complicated injury and I never thought I would make the World Cup. But everyone at United helped me through that difficult time and I also have to thank Sir Alex for letting me go to Spain and recover from my injury in the best possible way."
However, before he had even made a first-team appearance for United, the former Paris Saint-Germain star defied Ferguson by turning out for Argentina in their successful bid to win the 2004 Olympic tournament in Greece.
"I have always said that wearing the shirt of the Argentina national team is not an opportunity that is given to just anybody," Heinze said. "You welcome the chance every time you wear the shirt, which for me stirs very deep feelings."
source : RivalsDM