Saints legend Matt Le Tissier has joined Sir Alex Ferguson in calling into the question the role of agents in the modern game.

Manchester United manager Ferguson has been vocal in his criticism of Gabriel Heinze's representatives after the Argentina defender made it clear he wanted to leave the club for Liverpool.

A three-man Premier League panel this week ended his hopes of leaving for Anfield and the full-back was instead unveiled as a Real Madrid player yesterday.

Le Tissier was famously a one-club man after devoting his entire professional career to Saints despite regular advances from other sides, but believes that some modern agents who act for their own benefit rather than that of their client.

He said: "They (agents) have always been a little bit disruptive. I was lucky in that I had a good one who never put pressure on me or Southampton for a move.

"He appreciated my point of view. He would occasionally call me and say 'this club might be interested - what do you think?' If I said no that was that.

"Agents shouldn't have any more of a role than that but there are those now who stir things up for their own gains."

Le Tissier, who represented the Saints between 1986 and 2002, has seen the likes of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale leave St Mary's for huge sums after just a handful of appearances and believes the days of a club for life could be all but over.

"I think it would have been a lot more difficult for me to be a one-club man in today's game," said Le Tissier.

"In this day and age when you get offered £10million for a teenager, it's very difficult to turn it down.

"I might well have been forced to move - maybe even without my co-operation if you like."

Despite his celebrated career at club level, Le Tissier made only eight appearances for his country and although he insists England will qualify for Euro 2008, he believes under-fire goalkeeper Paul Robinson could need a break from the limelight.

Robinson was at fault as Germany equalised in their 2-1 friendly win at Wembley and his place is now under threat for the vital qualifiers against Israel and Russia next month.

"He's had a bit of a rough time and mistakes are highlighted when you're a goalkeeper - especially the England keeper. But Paul's had a few blips and it's knocked his confidence a bit.

"Sometimes when that happens a spell out of the side can help you a bit. I'm sure Steve McClaren is looking at the situation very closely and I think he might turn to David James for the qualifiers.

"But we have a history of struggling only to pull out a result when it's most needed and I'm sure we'll get the right results against Israel and Russia."