I'm up for it, says Heinze
Stuart Mathieson
GABRIEL Heinze has declared that it is all systems go for his Manchester United career.
Now the £6.9m Argentinian is waiting to see if he'll get the green light to make his long-awaited Reds debut tomorrow at the Reebok against Bolton.
Despite a draining non-stop world trek this summer with Argentina for the Copa America and Olympic Games the Athens Gold medallist is raring to go in the Premiership.
"It is up to the manager but personally speaking I can say that fitness-wise I am fine and ready if needed," says the former Paris St Germain defender.
Heinze's delayed start to his Old Trafford career after signing at the beginning of June from the French club saw him on duty for more than a dozen Argentina matches during the summer `break'.
He was a beaten finalist in the Copa America against Brazil in Peru but won Gold for the South Americans in Greece in August. But now the 26-year-old only has eyes for the Reds.
"It's great to be here. I am delighted to finally arrive," Gabriel told M.E.N. Sport.
"It is tough when you have all that hope and expectation when you first sign and then you have to wait.
"Obviously with Copa America and the Olympic Games taking place straight after another my thoughts had to go on that and I am very proud to play for my country.
"But that was then and this is now and I am here with a huge desire to do well for Manchester United. My head is now fully focused on them. I was thinking about Manchester all the time during the summer. It was in my head when I wasn't playing. But when it came to the football for Argentina I had to be fully concentrated on that. You can only concentrate on one event at a time and now my thoughts are on United.
"You are always looking to progress and it is a challenge coming here. What I have achieved and my experience in France will help me with this latest challenge. You always need to take things a step further. I watched a lot of English football on TV in Paris and I was ready for this."
Hard
The Crespo-born central defender or fullback was voted the hardest player in France last season as he helped PSG take second place in the league.
Heinze will let United supporters decide what they think of him.* *“It is down to the fans to formulate their own opinions of me as a player,” Gabriel added. “I am not a flashy footballer who is well known for my technical ability. I am a footballer who does things in my own way. I work hard and try my best at all times.
“I am not going to be blinding the fans with my skills. I can’t impress them that way. But I can promise that I will work hard for the shirt and do things correctly
“We all know it is a tough league and you have to give everything you have got. But I am coming here with hope and expectation.
“I am very much aware of United’s stature as a club and that is why I couldn’t be more keen to do well.
Heinze has been handed the No 4 jersey vacated by fellow Argentinian Seba Veron 13 months ago. Veron left with a 2003 Premiership title medal and Heinze is now hoping to add to his Olympic gold. But the defender won’t be parading his Athens award in the dressing room.
“I have given it to my mum as a present,” he said. “It was the best moment of my football career so far.
“It was great to do a lap of honour in the Argentina shirt knowing the whole country was united behind us and watching us. It was fantastic.
“Because I had hardly played in the Argentine first division before moving to Spain to play for Valladolid, the fans at home didn’t know much about me.
“I was called up this year pretty much as an unknown quantity for many back home. That made it extra special to be called up.
“It has been a really successful year for me and I hope to continue it with United.”
Stuart Mathieson
GABRIEL Heinze has declared that it is all systems go for his Manchester United career.
Now the £6.9m Argentinian is waiting to see if he'll get the green light to make his long-awaited Reds debut tomorrow at the Reebok against Bolton.
Despite a draining non-stop world trek this summer with Argentina for the Copa America and Olympic Games the Athens Gold medallist is raring to go in the Premiership.
"It is up to the manager but personally speaking I can say that fitness-wise I am fine and ready if needed," says the former Paris St Germain defender.
Heinze's delayed start to his Old Trafford career after signing at the beginning of June from the French club saw him on duty for more than a dozen Argentina matches during the summer `break'.
He was a beaten finalist in the Copa America against Brazil in Peru but won Gold for the South Americans in Greece in August. But now the 26-year-old only has eyes for the Reds.
"It's great to be here. I am delighted to finally arrive," Gabriel told M.E.N. Sport.
"It is tough when you have all that hope and expectation when you first sign and then you have to wait.
"Obviously with Copa America and the Olympic Games taking place straight after another my thoughts had to go on that and I am very proud to play for my country.
"But that was then and this is now and I am here with a huge desire to do well for Manchester United. My head is now fully focused on them. I was thinking about Manchester all the time during the summer. It was in my head when I wasn't playing. But when it came to the football for Argentina I had to be fully concentrated on that. You can only concentrate on one event at a time and now my thoughts are on United.
"You are always looking to progress and it is a challenge coming here. What I have achieved and my experience in France will help me with this latest challenge. You always need to take things a step further. I watched a lot of English football on TV in Paris and I was ready for this."
Hard
The Crespo-born central defender or fullback was voted the hardest player in France last season as he helped PSG take second place in the league.
Heinze will let United supporters decide what they think of him.* *“It is down to the fans to formulate their own opinions of me as a player,” Gabriel added. “I am not a flashy footballer who is well known for my technical ability. I am a footballer who does things in my own way. I work hard and try my best at all times.
“I am not going to be blinding the fans with my skills. I can’t impress them that way. But I can promise that I will work hard for the shirt and do things correctly
“We all know it is a tough league and you have to give everything you have got. But I am coming here with hope and expectation.
“I am very much aware of United’s stature as a club and that is why I couldn’t be more keen to do well.
Heinze has been handed the No 4 jersey vacated by fellow Argentinian Seba Veron 13 months ago. Veron left with a 2003 Premiership title medal and Heinze is now hoping to add to his Olympic gold. But the defender won’t be parading his Athens award in the dressing room.
“I have given it to my mum as a present,” he said. “It was the best moment of my football career so far.
“It was great to do a lap of honour in the Argentina shirt knowing the whole country was united behind us and watching us. It was fantastic.
“Because I had hardly played in the Argentine first division before moving to Spain to play for Valladolid, the fans at home didn’t know much about me.
“I was called up this year pretty much as an unknown quantity for many back home. That made it extra special to be called up.
“It has been a really successful year for me and I hope to continue it with United.”
