GABRIEL Heinze is preparing to fly back from his holiday for crunch talks with Manchester United.

The Argentina defender, 29, is seeking legal advice to see if he has grounds for pursuing a complaint against the Red Devils over their refusal to sell him to Liverpool.

Speaking to the News of the World, Heinze said: 'I am on holiday but may return next week and say more.

'For now I am a United player. But I am not saying anything else.'

The paper also claims United have offered Real Madrid and Juventus the chance to sign Heinze in a bid to stop him moving to Anfield, while Gill has moved to clarify the issue of 'the famous letter'.

He said: 'I wrote to Heinze and his agent to give them an indication of what value we require for, effectively, an overseas transfer.

'If there is overseas interest and the valuation is right, I can see him moving on.'

It has also emerged that Wigan's Leighton Baines could be the unlikely beneficiary of the row, no matter where Heinze's future lies.

Baines snubbed the chance to join Sunderland in a £6m ($18m) move recently as his camp apparently believe he can shine at a higher level.

And British tabloids now report he is a possible target for both Liverpool and United once Heinze's situation is clarified.

The irony is that Heinze, who is contracted to United for another two years, praised the man-management skills of Man U boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

In an earlier interview with Sky Sports magazine to preview the kick-off of the new season, Heinze said: 'It's his man-management that makes him stand out.

'He manages to keep a big squad of top-quality players happy. We have an excellent team spirit at Old Trafford.'

Talking of players on the fringe of the first team, Heinze added: 'He keeps them focused because there is every chance that they will be needed and called upon. That is a great skill.'

Heinze is keen for a move to Liverpool where he sees more chance of regular first-team football than at United where he has lost his place to Frenchman Patrice Evra. - Wire Services.

Jeffrey Oon: Well, we now know that Heinze IS interested in moving to Anfield after all. That must surely infuriate Fergie, and any man that dares go face-to-face with 'The Hair Dryer' has got my r-e-s-p-e-c-t. The bit about Baines is interesting - he definitely needs a bigger stage to strut his stuff and either club would suit him.