Gabriel Heinze has thanked Sir Alex for allowing him a break over Christmas. He is quoted in The Sun as saying, “It’s been a hectic year and I really needed to chill a bit.
“The truth is I didn’t expect to be given the holiday and I’m very thankful to the technical staff and to Ferguson in particular. I’m so appreciative and I want to make a point of being grateful for the gesture. Ferguson has been marvellous to me ever since I arrived and it’s a pleasure to be coached by him.
“I’ve felt comfortable since my first day. I’ve been given everything I needed to do my job well and treated in a first class way.”
He is also going to come home earlier than expected, and is likely to play against Bolton:
“I’ve made the most of my break, basking in the affection of my family, chatting to friends and having barbecues. But I’m a professional and I must turn out for every game the club wants me to — and I’ll play on the 26th without any problems at all.”