Arbitration decision on Heinze's move

It is now out of the hands of Sir Alex Ferguson as Argentina left-back Gabriel Heinze's move to title rivals Liverpool will be decided by a Premier League arbitration panel.

While Manchester United is adamant that Heinze should not be allowed to leave, the defender claims he has a letter from the Red Devils allowing him to leave if another club makes an offer of 6.8 million pounds (13.5 million dollars), which Liverpool have done.

The defender has asked for a three-man panel to decide whether the Old Trafford club gave him permission to leave for an agreed fee. However, United insist they made it clear to Heinze both orally and by letter that he would not be permitted to join one of their Premier League title rivals.

United chief executive David Gill and manager Sir Alex Ferguson attended the tribunal in London on Monday.

French champions Lyon meanwhile are watching the situation closely, and have made the Argentinian defender their number one priority following a serious injury to Brazilian Cris.