We'll see you in court, Heinze

United ended their tour of the Far East yesterday having been informed that Heinze has instructed lawyers to investigate whether the champions are within their rights to block a transfer to Anfield in the wake of Liverpool meeting a set asking price of £6.8million.

Scroll down to read more:

But United manager Ferguson met fire with fire after his team's 3-0 win over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical and warned Heinze he simply will not be allowed to leave.

Ferguson said: "We are aware Gaby is taking legal advice. That's good. I hope it's good advice because we're confident of our position.

"He's due back in training on August 6, which gives him three clear weeks' rest after the Copa America. And we expect him back in training."

Heinze, 29, believes he should be allowed to leave — even though he has two years left on his contract — because his agent has a letter from the club stating the player could leave if an asking price was met.

United, however, had no idea rivals and neighbours Liverpool were interested and are now refusing to sell, confident that a player's legal contract takes precedence over a letter.

Heinze's lawyers have effectively a week to find out if the former Argentina defender has a case.

United chief executive David Gill claims he informed Heinze's agent Roberto Rodriguez verbally, prior to Liverpool revealing their interest, that the club would not be prepared to sell him to any of their three major domestic rivals — a discussion which is thought to have been taped and could therefore, in theory, be used as part of any defence in court.

But the extraordinary prospect of United being sued by one of their own players has added a dramatic twist at the end of what has been a largely productive four-game Far East tour.

United flew home last night with injury concerns over Paul Scholes (knee), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Cristiano Ronaldo (toe) to contend with but buoyed by another star showing from new signing Nani in China yesterday.

It appears the 20-year-old can now add obedience and common sense to his other more exciting attributes after the Portugal winger followed Ferguson's instructions to tone down his goal celebrations.

As Sportsmail reported yesterday, Ferguson was alarmed to discover that his £20m summer signing from Sporting Lisbon had arrived at his new club complete with a set of acrobatics to follow each goal he scored.

But after receiving a quiet word about the dangers of behaving like a circus act in the Premiership, Nani clearly took heed and followed his latest strike with a simple high five.

In scoring United's second goal in the champions' 3-0 win, Nani certainly brought a touch of class to his club's final match of their twoweek Asian tour.

With United leading 1-0 through a Wayne Rooney penalty, Nani dispatched a sublime chip over the goalkeeper's head which bounced in off the far post.

It was perhaps the best of United's 15 goals on this tour and was followed by a 25-yard rocket from Lee Martin.

Ferguson said: "There's no problem for Nani. He needs a lot of work as he has not had a lot of endurance work. But there will be plenty of games before the season starts. I'm very happy with him. This was a good work-out for us. It was very, very hot. At half-time a lot of fluid was taken. We won 3-0 and it was a very good tournament for us.

"I've been pleased with all the goals. It's confidence-building for the new campaign when you go into a preseason game and get that tempo and rhythm."

United striker Alan Smith will speak to Middlesbrough about move to Teesside next week after the clubs agreed a £6m fee.