Reds investigate Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised United will "not let Liverpool off" in an investigation into the Anfield club's conduct in the recent Gabriel Heinze affair.


While the Reds boss said he had no qualms with Heinze, a player he described as a "warrior" for the club during his three years at Old Trafford, he did express his frustration at the 29-year-old's agent and recent comments made by Rafael Benitez.

Heinze joined Real Madrid this week, but the move only came after a failed, drawn-out attempt to join Liverpool, which ended with a three-man Premier League panel ruling against the player's claims that a letter signed by Reds chief executive David Gill gave him license to sign for United's rivals as the stated fee had been met.

"We are looking at Liverpool's whole role in this," said Sir Alex on Friday. "We are not letting them off with it. That is what we are investigating." Asked whether it was a case of 'tapping up' Heinze, he responded: "David Gill is working on it at the moment. We will get to the bottom of it and see how it comes out.

"I've got no axe to grind with Gaby whatsoever," he added. "The issue without question is how much he listened to us rather his agent. But, his agent will make his few bob."

Sir Alex was disappointed with Bentitez, who earlier this week was astonished that the Premier League arbitration panel's decision had not gone in their favour, and also claimed that his side are hard done by because of early Saturday kick-offs. "It is disappointing stuff," he said. "He talks about the fixtures. He should have seen our fixtures over over the last two or three seasons. There was never any chance of Liverpool winning that case, so Rafa clearly did not read the Premier League rules."

24/08/2007 09:42, Report by Ben Hibbs