Fergie: Heinze won't join rivals

Sir Alex Ferguson says Man Utd defender Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool.

Heinze is looking to leave Old Trafford over the summer due to concerns about his first-team opportunities this season.

Ferguson is aware of the Argentine's wish to move on and the player has been linked with United's fierce rivals Liverpool.

But the Red Devils boss is adamant there is no chance of Heinze becoming one of a handful of players to trade the two clubs.

"I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze," stated Ferguson.

"We can put that to bed right now and we have done so.

"We have had a couple of offers for him and we have turned them down."

Ferguson also revealed that Heinze's agent has been trying to engineer a transfer for the past 18 months, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also having been linked with bids.

He added: "Heinze's agents are rolling the ball all the time.

"But no matter what his agent thinks, we are in the driving seat.

"I don't exactly know what Gaby thinks because it is all coming from his agent, but this has been going on for a year-and-a-half now."