Heinze set for United starting role as Germany beckons
May 1, 2006
Agence France Presse
Gabriel Heinze was set to make his first start for Manchester United in seven months on Monday as the defender seeks to boost his chances of a place in Argentina's World Cup squad.
Heinze has made several appearances on the bench since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in September, although a minor groin injury kept him out of Saturday's defeat by Chelsea.
United's defending in that match was poor and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was expected to make changes for the clash with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
"Gaby played for the reserves last Saturday, then turned out again on Tuesday," Ferguson said. "It was probably a little bit too soon, which is why he ended up with the groin injury.
"But, with the World Cup coming up, the lad is just so eager to get himself fit. That is his main priority really. I am not saying he is ignoring us but I can understand where he is coming from."
A victory over Middlesbrough would virtually seal second place in the table for United as it would leave Liverpool needing to win their final match, at Portsmouth on Sunday, by a substantial margin while hoping Ferguson's men lose at home to Charlton.
It would also allow them to claim revenge over a Middlesbrough side that beat United 4-1 at the Riverside in October.
"Without question, that was our worst performance of the season," recalled Ferguson, who has seen his side bounce back strongly from that low point.
May 1, 2006
Agence France Presse
Gabriel Heinze was set to make his first start for Manchester United in seven months on Monday as the defender seeks to boost his chances of a place in Argentina's World Cup squad.
Heinze has made several appearances on the bench since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in September, although a minor groin injury kept him out of Saturday's defeat by Chelsea.
United's defending in that match was poor and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was expected to make changes for the clash with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
"Gaby played for the reserves last Saturday, then turned out again on Tuesday," Ferguson said. "It was probably a little bit too soon, which is why he ended up with the groin injury.
"But, with the World Cup coming up, the lad is just so eager to get himself fit. That is his main priority really. I am not saying he is ignoring us but I can understand where he is coming from."
A victory over Middlesbrough would virtually seal second place in the table for United as it would leave Liverpool needing to win their final match, at Portsmouth on Sunday, by a substantial margin while hoping Ferguson's men lose at home to Charlton.
It would also allow them to claim revenge over a Middlesbrough side that beat United 4-1 at the Riverside in October.
"Without question, that was our worst performance of the season," recalled Ferguson, who has seen his side bounce back strongly from that low point.
