Alex Ferguson insists Gabriel Heinze will still have a future at Manchester United even if the Premier League reject his proposed move to Liverpool.

Heinze has a letter he believes entitles him to join the Anfield club, who have matched United's £6.8million transfer valuation.

United officials contend the letter, signed by the club's chief executive David Gill, does not over-ride the Argentina defender's contract, which still has two years to run.

Currently sidelined with a minor knock sustained during the Copa America, Heinze will have his future determined by the Premier League, who are due to assess the situation on August 20th.

Yet, despite his desire to join Liverpool, Ferguson does not believe there will be a problem with Heinze turning out for United again.

"Nothing has moved as far as Gaby is concerned," said the United manager.  "We have a meeting on August 20th which will settle the issue once and for all.

"We think our case is strong and we are depending on that.  And, if it goes our way, Gaby definitely has a future here. He still has another two years left on his contract."

Ferguson remains quite laidback over the future of Heinze's international team-mate Carlos Tevez too.

The Scot had expected Tevez to have completed his move to Old Trafford by now. But while the transfer is edging closer it is still not finalised, meaning the 23-year-old will not figure on Sunday when the Premier League champions begin the defence of their title against Reading.

"It is completely understandable the Premier League want to scrutinise every detail," said Ferguson.

"I am happy with that because then we know we are getting a player in the right circumstances, with everything clarified and cleared by the appropriate authorities.

"We know he is our player but even if it was all done today, I wouldn't use him on Sunday. It would more likely be against Manchester City next weekend."