MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED:GABRIEL HEINZE, the former Manchester United player, has accused Alex Ferguson of coming up with "a work of absolute science fiction" after the Old Trafford manager dragged him into the row about Real Madrid's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Heinze felt compelled to speak out as a response to Ferguson's latest outburst about the "obscene" way Real Madrid had conducted themselves over the summer. In an interview with GQ magazine Ferguson claimed Real Madrid had signed the Argentina international a year earlier not because of his ability but because he was "very close" to Ronaldo.

"I knew what they were doing," said Ferguson. "I don't believe they were interested in Heinze - good player though he is. The endgame was to get Ronaldo."

Ferguson said he was not "surprised" when Real Madrid started making overtures to Ronaldo because he had suspected their motives ever since they paid €10 million for Heinze.

"I knew it was coming," he said. "When we sold Gabriel Heinze to Real Madrid we knew it was going to happen because Ronaldo was very close to Heinze."

Those remarks drew an angry response last night from the player he is effectively claiming was a pawn in the game.

"I do not understand this," said Heinze. "This theory of Ferguson's - that I went to Real so the club could persuade Cristiano (to sign) the following summer - is a work of absolute science fiction.

"Cristiano is a clever person and he decides himself what is best for his own life. I am a good very friend of his. This is true but he always decides his own future. If he asks me a question about Real, then of course I will answer but I am not a bad influence on him."

Heinze's relationship with Ferguson disintegrated at the end of the 2006-07 season after he made it clear he wanted to leave Old Trafford and accept an offer to join Liverpool. Ferguson was so desperate for it not to happen the matter eventually went to a Premier League tribunal, which ruled in the club's favour.

"Ferguson is the boss at United and any person who protests about anything is marginalised," said Heinze. "Finally the best thing for me was to accept the proposition of Real Madrid and now I am very happy in Spain."

Despite his protests Heinze admitted being disappointed that Ronaldo had been unable to force through his "dream" move.

"I am actually convinced that Cristiano would offer Madrid even bigger performances than he has for United . . . and it is only natural that I have wanted him to come and play with us here in La Liga. Ferguson cannot stop me talking now because I am no longer at Manchester United."

Ferguson, meanwhile, claims getting Darren Fletcher to sign a new contract was his biggest relief of the season.

The 24-year-old midfielder played just 24 games last term, and with several clubs keen on his services, he could easily have decided to abandon the struggle for a first-team berth.

He opted to remain at Old Trafford, and, as injuries sidelined others, Fletcher was given the responsibility of a regular start.

He made his 11th appearance at Everton on Saturday, where he also scored his third goal.

"The relief of the season was to get Darren a new contract," said Ferguson of his fellow Scot, who is likely to feature against West Ham tonightl.

Guardian Service