Argentine full-back Gabriel Heinze will watch on TV as his former Manchester United team-mates take on Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow - still seething that United prevented him from joining the Merseyside Reds.
Denied his desired move to Liverpool by Manchester United, Gabriel Heinze instead had to settle for a transfer to Real Madrid last summer.
But he admits he is still bitter about United's tactics, and told the Daily Mail: "I still do not understand the real motives of United and think the whole thing set a bad example for football.
"It is incredible that in the modern age — in the 21st century — there exists a situation where United will not sell to Liverpool."
Of Manchester United, he said: "I only have good memories of the supporters and my team-mates but I would rather not give my opinion about the directors."
There was nothing in Heinze's contract that prohibited him from moving to Liverpool, but when he appealed to the Premier League in August to allow him to make that switch, they ruled that United could refuse to sell him to a rival club.
Heinze, 29, says he is happy at Madrid, but admits that he would relish the opportunity to knock United out of the Champions League. He added: "I really wanted to play for Liverpool but it is forgotten.
"During the summer I dreamed of playing in Anfield but the reality was different.
"I don't think often about revenge but it is certain that I want to play against Manchester United in the Champions League.
"That would be a big match and one without a clear favourite. But I would fancy Real.
"Manchester United never believed a big-name club would ever want me but I have proved them wrong and now I can't ask for anything more.
"This has just begun and there's a lot more to lay on the line."