New coach calls up Heinze

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is set for a transatlantic trip next month after being selected for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying games against Uruguay and Chile.

After his hectic summer, which took in the Copa America and Olympic Games tournaments, Heinze has recently bedded down in the United rearguard.

The good news for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is that the South American qualifying games coincide with the European World Cup fixtures, and Heinze should therefore miss no United games as a result of his international obligations.

New Argentina coach Jose Pekerman will know all about Heinze, and the 26-year-old looks sure to start both matches.

But Pekerman has left former Old Trafford midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron out of his squad, and the Inter Milan midfielder’s absence suggests that the new coach will look to his younger creative players – the likes of Olympic hero Carlos Tevez – for inspiration.

The incoming coach, who replaced Marcelo Bielsa last week, has been more sympathetic to AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo – who like Veron is on loan from Chelsea – and the prolific marksman avoided the cull.

Pekerman has selected 19 foreign-based players and will add domestic stars at a later date.

Argentina play Uruguay on October 9 in Buenos, before travelling to face Chile in Santiago four days later.