At the centre of the wrangle is a letter, signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill stating the figure United would be willing to sell Heinze for, a sum Liverpool have agreed to match.

Heinze contends United should now allow him to leave but Gill is adamant he informed the 29-year-old’s agent verbally – before Liverpool made their bid – he was unwilling to deal with any of the club’s major domestic rivals.

Papers from all sides are currently being examined by the Premier League, with Heinze keen for a ruling to be made before the August 31 transfer deadline.

And, while the Premier League are refusing to comment on the matter, It is understood they will examine more documentation in an effort to find a solution.

As far as Ferguson is concerned, the final solution does not involve Heinze ending up on Merseyside.

The player is due to return to training on Monday, with his manager keen to discuss the situation face-to-face in a bid to discover the Argentina star’s private thoughts.

Although Ferguson has suggested he would prefer to keep the defender, his position at United does appear untenable.