Silvestre v Heinze

Alex Ferguson would have rather slit his wrists than sell Gabriel Heinze to Liverpool last summer, but was more than willing to let Mikael Silvestre go to Arsenal yesterday.

I had thought that Arsenal would strengthen their backline over the summer, but it looked as if Wenger had ruled out a new centerback two months ago. It’s not surprising he’s had a change of heart or that he’s bought another Frenchman, but what’s surprising is where the signing came from.

There’s so much fun that can be read into this. Does Ferguson think Silvestre is past it, and can’t hurt his side (or help Arsenal’s)? Does he not even consider Arsenal a threat to his team’s title chances? Or does he just hate Liverpool so much he’d never sell a player to them, whereas Arsenal just doesn’t raise enough enmity?

United hadn’t sold a player to the Arse since Brian Kidd in 1974, while the last player transferred between United and Liverpool was Phil Chisnall ten years before Kidd.

And don’t think I’ve forgotten Silvestre’s brace against Liverpool in Benitez’s first season.

I am very, very curious to see how this turns out. My initial guess is that Ferguson’s just a prick about all things Liverpudlian, but that’s an easy guess.