Sir Alex Ferguson tonight began clearing the decks for the imminent arrival of Carlos Tevez by selling Giuseppe Rossi to Villarreal.

During Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the Far East, Ferguson had suggested the futures of both Rossi and Alan Smith, the England international, were in doubt as the Tevez deal edged closer to completion.

Smith is due to open negotiations with Newcastle United, as Everton wait in the wings, but, with a date of August 22 now set for a three-day hearing that will determine who owns Tevez’s registration, Ferguson has felt confident enough to offload Rossi - a player of undoubted promise who has never really had the chance to fulfil it at Old Trafford.

Ironically, Rossi’s last start for United was in the final game of the 2005-06 campaign, when he was preferred to Ruud van Nistelrooy, a decision which effectively ended the Dutchman’s Old Trafford career.

Although the Italian Under-21 international did not find the net against Charlton on that occasion, his scoring return of four goals in 14 senior appearances for the Red Devils is better than many, more experienced players have managed

It was at Parma at the back end of last season where Rossi really came to the attention of top European scouts. His nine goals in 17 appearances for Claudio Ranieri’s men effectively kept them in Serie A.

Ferguson would no doubt have liked to keep Rossi at Old Trafford but he previously acknowledged a need to let the New Jersey-born youngster develop his own career.

Now, Rossi will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of another United old boy, Diego Forlan, at Villarreal. But the mere confirmation of the 21-year-old’s exit, subject to a medical, suggests an increasing confidence on Ferguson’s part that Tevez will be at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

The 23-year-old’s advisor Kia Joorabchian has issued High Court proceedings against West Ham, who maintain Tevez is their player.

However, there has been plenty of speculation that a private settlement may be reached before then which would see Joorabchian pay West Ham a nominal fee in order to release Tevez from his contract.