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Gabriel Heinze was frustrated in his efforts to join Liverpool from Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze was once hailed as a future legend at the club.

After joining the Red Devils from PSG in 2004, he quickly won a Premier League title and the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful with his passionate performances – until he attempted to join Liverpool.

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 Anfield in the summer of 2007.

In doing so, he violated one of English football's most revered yet unwritten rules: players do not transfer directly between the two clubs.

Now aged 47, Heinze is poised to join Mikel Arteta's coaching staff at Arsenal ahead of the new season, as the Gunners undergo a coaching overhaul following former assistant Carlos Cuesta's departure for Parma.

Heinze's return to the Premier League will undoubtedly rekindle memories of one of English football's most intense transfer sagas, when the Argentinian sought to cross the M62 divide and join then-manager Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, reports the Mirror.

The contentious switch would have made him the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to move directly between the two sides.

However, the potential pairing of Heinze and Liverpool remains a major 'What if?' scenario as former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson resolutely stood his ground to ensure that the defender would never realise his wish.

Gabriel Heinze won the Premier League before trying to force a move to Liverpool(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

The saga began when Heinze's agent, Roberto Rodriguez, was reportedly told by United's then-chief executive David Gill that he could depart for £6.8million.

"That's the reason why they don't want him to leave for us."

In another unexpected turn in one of the Premier League's most contentious transfer battles, it later came to light that Crystal Palace were offered the opportunity to purchase Heinze by South American-based agency, only to immediately sell him to Liverpool.

This would purportedly earn the Eagles £1m in compensation, as disclosed by former Palace chairman Simon Jordan in his memoir, Be Careful What You Wish For.

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

The situation escalated when Heinze and his representative took their case to a Premier League arbitration panel to push through the switch.

However, Jordan’s testimony played a pivotal role in the tribunal that ruled in favour of United.

Sir Alex Ferguson was adamant that Heinze would not move to Liverpool(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

After the panel denied him the chance to join Liverpool, Heinze said to the Daily Mail: "My fight is for the freedom to negotiate with any club.

However, the player refrained as United went on to accept an offer from Real Madrid.

"I spent three years in Manchester and had some great moments and I regret [leaving the club] a lot," Heinze said years on.
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