Gabriel Heinze held discussions with Sir Alex Ferguson on Monday
to resolve the row over his proposed move from Manchester United to
Liverpool.
Heinze had pledged to report for duty as ordered by Ferguson and
duly arrived at United's Carrington training complex on Monday
morning following a brief break after his Copa America campaign
with Argentina.
Ferguson was eager to speak with Heinze face-to-face to establish
his intentions after blaming the 29-year-old's agent for talking up
a move to Liverpool, something United are opposed to.
It was expected Ferguson would re-state a position of which chief
executive David Gill verbally advised Heinze's agent; namely United
will not sell any of their players to a major domestic rival, even
though Liverpool have matched the Red Devils' stated £6.8million
asking price.
Heinze has appointed a legal team to assess the validity of the
letter Gill signed confirming a figure that would trigger his
release.
For their part, United insist the note does not over-ride Heinze's
current contract, which still has two years to run. It is also
thought Gill's verbal clause, which came before Liverpool boss
Rafael Benitez made his interest known, was recorded.
Although it appears Heinze's position as a United player is now
untenable, in theory at least the full-back could be asked to
figure in one of two friendlies on Wednesday, at Dunfermline or
Glentoran.
A more likely scenario would be for the player to remain in
Manchester, while discussions continue over a resolution to the
impasse, although, with United so steadfastly against letting
Heinze become the first player to leave for Liverpool since Phil
Chisnall in 1964, it is difficult to see much room for
negotiation.
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