Heinze tells Fergie: I still want to quit Old Trafford

Defender Heinze returned to training with United as planned yesterday and headed straight for a meeting with manager Ferguson to thrash out his future.

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And the Argentine international told Sportsmail last night he remains set on a controversial move to Anfield and that his lawyers are looking at ways to force the deal through, despite United's opposition.

Heinze said: "I've spoken with the coach and I have insisted that my wish is to leave the club if a big offer appears on the table.

"Today the only such offer is from Liverpool and it is this that is causing the problem. Earlier in the summer I received a promise from United that I could leave if the deal was good for both parties and at the moment there is an offer from Liverpool.

"The coach is serious about this and I understand his view. But I am serious, too. My lawyers are studying the situation and I'm going to wait for a few days now to get a full report from them."

Heinze - who last season lost his left-back berth to Patrice Evra - has two years left on his contract but was told in a letter from chief executive David Gill at the start of the summer that he could leave if an offer of £6.5million was received.

The only offer subsequently made has been from Liverpool and Heinze's representatives are trying to force the club's hand because the letter did not state that bids from Premier League rivals would not be considered.

"All I want now is a swift solution to this saga," said Heinze, who was given extra time off by Ferguson after his participation in the Copa America with his country. "I've fulfilled my duties by returning for training and I will now carry on behaving like a professional. I will keep on coming to training and will see what happens. I have a muscle injury in my leg but it is only minor and will not keep me out for long.

"People keep saying that there's an offer for me from Juventus but I know nothing about it. Liverpool is the only offer so far.

"I don't want to spend time at the club just waiting and not playing as I don't think that is in the best interests of the club or myself."

Heinze's representatives last week suggested the issue may go to court but it now appears more likely that the Premier League will be asked to rule on it.

United's stance is that Heinze's contract carries more weight than a letter and it is also understood that Gill told the player's representatives a move to a rival would be out of the question. The conversation is believed to be on tape. The Premier League have indicated they would be happy to get involved in an arbitration process.

United will send two teams to play in friendlies tomorrow night, one to Glentoran in Northern Ireland and another to Dunfermline in Scotland. New signing Carlos Tevez is expected to feature in Dunfermline but Heinze's injury appears to preclude him from making either trip.

United have been encouraged by their Community Shield triumph against Chelsea on Sunday and goalscorer Ryan Giggs believes standards will be even higher this season.

Giggs said: "The bar will have to go higher. Squads have got better in recent years, especially since Arsenal set the precedent by going unbeaten through the season. You can't afford to lose many games now and that'll be the case even more this season. The quality is going up and up all the time."