LONDON (Reuters) - Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze has failed in his attempt to force Manchester United to sell him to rivals Liverpool, the Premier League said yesterday.

A three-man Premier League arbitration panel met to resolve the dispute yesterday at the request of Heinze after United refused to allow the 29-year-old to join Liverpool.

Heinze claimed that he had a letter from United giving him permission to move to another club for $13.45 million — a fee Liverpool agreed to pay.

The Premier League panel ruled that the letter did not give the go-ahead for Heinze's move.

"The hearing concluded that nature and intention of the disputed June 13 letter, especially when taken in context of verbal discussions and Manchester United's transfer policy, was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer," a statement said.

"Furthermore the hearing finds the letter constitutes an 'agreement to agree', and did not create an obligation or binding agreement for the club to transfer the player to any particular club.

"In other words the letter is evidence of an intention to negotiate, both between the parties and with potential buying clubs."

Left back Heinze, who joined United from Paris St Germain in 2004 for $13.8 million, has found his first-team place threatened by the arrival of Patrice Evra.

Heinze can appeal against the decision to the Premier League Appeals Committee.