Ferguson Confident Liverpool Cannot Win Battle For Heinze
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool do not have a credible case in their attempts to sign the Red Devils' Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze
Liverpool are powerless to prevent Manchester United keeping Gabriel Heinze at Old Trafford, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.
The United boss is unmoved by news that arch-rivals Liverpool have written to the Premier League asking them to settle the dispute over the Argentine international full-back.
Ferguson taunted: “They can do what they like. We are quite confident about our position."
He added: "Gabby is due back at training next Monday and, once we have a meeting with him, his position may become a little clearer.”
Although 29-year-old Heinze has a "get-out" clause in his contract that states he can leave Old Trafford if another club offers £6.8 million for him, United say that excludes Liverpool or the oher two members of the Premiership's 'big four.'
So although Liverpool are prepared to meet the asking price, United insist they made it clear to Heinze that he would not be allowed to join their Premier League rivals. However, that condition is apparently not written into his contract.
The last player to move directly from Old Trafford to Anfield was Phil Chisnall 43 years ago.
And the threat of the Premier League becoming involved in the dispute does not concern Ferguson in the least.
“That will take years,” he said dismissively, aware that any Premier League attempt to oversee the transfer could seriously delay the move.
That view is based on the League's handling of the Carlos Tevez affair, which has left Ferguson unimpressed and increasingly annoyed as the new season approaches and the Argentine striker waits for his future to be resolved in the High Court.
Tevez's compatriot Heinze is understood to have taken legal advice from Liverpool's lawyers in order to try and force through the transfer, but that too has left Ferguson unfazed.
He had earlier remarked: “We’re aware he’s taking legal advice and is using Liverpool’s solicitor. Well, I hope he is a good one because we are confident of our position.
“It doesn’t concern me whether he is using Liverpool’s lawyers because he has either got a case or he hasn’t."
goal.com
We want another CB,Alex.