The only, very shakey, leg that United have to stand on is that Heinze failed to give the 15 day notice required under FIFA article 17. Unfortunately for them, the only other player to have invoked this rule to date - Andy Webster of Hearts - also failed to give this notice. He was still allowed to leave and was merely suspended for 2 games and fined.

Fergy can stamp his feet and turn even redder than normal, it doesn't matter. If Liverpool pursue this, there is nothing United can do.

Personally, I'm not fussed either way. If he comes to Anfield, great, if not, ah well. What's much more important (and hilarious) is that Fergy has had a mind-game meltdown before a ball has even been kicked!!

Jerry, Boston, MA

Why on earth would you want to give one of your bitterest rivals one of your players, thus giving them an advantage? Look through history, hardly any players have transfered between Man U and Liverpool. The reason? They hate each other and they're bitter rivals. I can't understand why Utd would want to sell to Liverpool who sing songs with glee about Munich every time they play against each other.

I back Fergie; don't sell to the scousers.

Nev, Amsterdam,

Colin, have you actually ever watched the Liverpool defence play? I think you will find that they might just be as effective, if not better than Man U's. Heinze would be a good edition no doubt but you do Liverpool's rear-guard a serious dis-service. In relation to the article, it appears that Fergie is about to get a lesson in law. Considering the injuries suffured at Utd last season, most notably in their defence, it looks like they might get caught short if the move goes through

Dave Rees, Oxford,

Mick - does the letter to Heinze's agent really constitute an amendment to the contract? Utd's lawyers will probably suggest that the letter merely indicated their asking price for the player and there was no intent to create legal relations. Thus it is not part of the contract. Whether Utd are forced to accept the bid will probably be determined by whether it is standard practice for Utd to conduct business in this way (i.e they have previously chosen to amend contracts in this manner).

Otherwise the matter will be decided by how much Utd want to dig their heels in and how much aggravation Liverpool are prepared to go through to get the player.

Will, London,

mick from dublin, your facts are wrong. there is no clause in heinze's contract saying he can to any club which meets the valuation - that's a release clause, like the one michael owen has at newcastle.

man utd are well within their rights to say no to liverpool because all that heinze's agent has is a letter signed by david gill saying he can be sold to any club meeting the valuation. unfortunately for heinze and liverpool, that is not a legal document. david gill does not own heinze or man utd, so he doesn't have the power to sell heinze. if the letter was signed by malcolm glazer, it would be a different matter. the letter has no legal value, it may as well be signed by gary neville.

watch what happens - heinze will not go to liverpool this year. he will probably go to a spanish or italian club, or he can play 2nd fiddle to evra for a year and then buy himself out of his contract next summer.

Sam, London, United Kingdom

SAF has never once said that he is willing to sell Heinze to anyone. Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool are all after him. Even Hienze himself has never said that he wants to leave. He is quoted in the Manchester Evening News yesterday (23rd July) as saying:

"I have a deal signed with United and no offers have arrived," said Gaby.

"In the last weeks, there have been many rumours in the Press but in reality where are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, etc? I know the rumours of the interest from Liverpool by the newspapers.

"This is a delicate subject, especially for the fans. They are the people who have always done so much to help me since my arrival and I believe that to leave United for Liverpool would not be understood by them. I will only leave United if Sir Alex says to my face that I do not enter in his plans for next season"

chris, manchester, UK

I would think that Fergie is over doing this one. You have told a player that he is surplus to your requirement and that he can move on to wherever he finds his services acceptable. Then you turn round to insist but you can't move to a a particular club because of your self impose belief.
Heinze has rights and wishes and can choose what is best for him.

Justin Chukwu, London, England

Rumour has it, the next stage in Rafa's mind game is to put in a late bid for Tevez !

Martin, Wigan, UK

You all seem to be missing the point, Heinze has an agreement written into his contract which states that he can move to any club willing to match Manchester Uniteds valuation of the player, in this case, £6m. they say that if a club abroad is willing to match this valuation then he can move but not to a rival in the premiership.
In no other industry would an employer be able to stop an employee from moving to a rival company particularly if they have a contractual agreement (the letter represents an legally binding amendment to the contract) to do so, if they do move the employer may be entitled to compensation from the employee for the value of the remainder of the contract, this of course would be covered by the transfer fee in football.
So, therefore, United have no legal right to prevent Heinze from moving to Liverpool and would lose any legal case in this matter.

Mick, Dublin,

He has a contract with United for another 2 years. Until United decide otherwise he is their player. Liverpool can get as many lawyers invovled as they like, a letter is not a contract. United will decide if and when he leaves, and they can decide who he goes to. I'm sure they'll be up for a swap deal with Steven Gerrard.

Alex, Bournemouth, UK

This situation could have easily been avoided if Heinze had taken up the option to buy out the remaining two years of his contract, he needed to do this within fifteen days from the last day of the season, he would now be a free agent and have the freedom of choice to pick which club he wanted.
Had he done this Laird Fergie of Glasgow would not have had the opportunity to say "We don't want him but your not having him either, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea"
Bit ironic really when only a couple of seasons ago he was considering a bid for Stevie G when Chelsea were unsettling the player!!!

Chris, Weston super Mare, England

I dont agree with Chris (Worthing) and his comments, its fair to say that 2 seasons ago Gabriel Heinze was United's best player voted by their own players and fans alike. He sustained an injury last year which allowed Patrice Evra his chance for the position. I think Heinze will discover his best form again with Liverpool if Ferguson grows up and sells to him to us. We have met the evaluation and if the only way this deal can be settled is through the courts then so be it. On the plus side it's always nice to get one over the mancs!

Stefan Milczarek (YNWA), Birmingham, United Kingdom

Even if Heinze moves to Liverpool or not it seems that Sir Alex has already lost this mind game.
I wonder if Rick Parry and Benitez are having a little chuckle about it all.

Red in Brazil, Brasilia,

"too much" Chris. That's why we earn it, it's the attention to detail we provide.

Brian (Lawyer), Reading,

John(Liverpool fan), Reading, UK.

Fergie is not the one in need of growing up here. He is simply insisting that whilst a player is under contract that he works with the club that is playing his wages. This also means he only gets the chance to move to a club of his owners approval!! Why improve your opposition, as Heinz is miles better than most Liverpoool defenders so would definately improve them!

Colin Blues, San Diego, CA

Sorry am I mistaken, but if a player is under contract to a club and that club decides that they do not want to sell the player to another club, then that is normally the end of the matter!!

Surely a letter which allows an agent to try to find another club does not overrule a contrct signed by the club and the player. In any case any such letter is northing to do with Liverpool, and the issue is between the player and his club. If heinz is not happy yhen it is his fight not Liverpool's. No wonder SAF does not want to sell to them, if this is the way they behave!!

Colin Blues, San Diego, CA

Its up to Man U to decide who they sell to, why should they sell a good player to their closest rivals?

Siamak , Westcliff-on-Sea, England

Football is subject to market forces and I'm surprised if United's owners will allow the blocking of Heinze's move to Anfield as they have met United's valuation. I can't believe Ferguson is afraid of the competitive impact. It doesn't cast in him in a good light. He should not allow himself to become petty like this. If Heinze wants the Liverpool move, it is unfair for Ferguson to stop him. The Anfield option is best for Heinze as he will get a first team place with Champions League football as well. With Madrid he will face more competition. So come on Fergie grow up and let him move on.

John(Liverpool fan), Reading, UK

I don't see the problem. If Heinze wants to play for Liverpool, he can wait until his contract runs out and sign for free. Until then he can sit and deal with it. Hargreaves and Man Utd had to wait until BM were willing to sell, why can't Liverpool and Heinze? Lawyers earn to much money as it is.

Chris, Worthing, England