Gabriel Heinze flew back to Argentina on Saturday for the final part of an international mission that has infuriated Manchester United insisting he is not responsible for his prolonged Old Trafford absence.

Heinze added a cherished Olympic gold medal to the runners-up prize he picked up in the Copa America last month as Argentina eased past fellow South Americans Paraguay to clinch the title for the first time in 52 years.

The defender's presence as an over-aged player in Athens has severely irritated Sir Alex Ferguson, who has so far not even seen his £6.9million summer signing from Paris St Germain train, let alone play in a game.

Heinze should finally be available for the trip to Bolton in a fortnight, by which time he will also have played for his country in their World Cup qualifer against Peru.

And while he understands United's frustrations, the 26-year-old does not see what he could do to avoid the situation.

"I don't make the calendar," he said. "I am just a player.

"The problems are for other people to sort out. FIFA and the other governing bodies arrange the games and the tournaments, all I do is play in them if selected."

Contrary to Ferguson's claim that he has not been able to get hold of Heinze while he has been in Greece, the defender stated he has been in contact with United officials virtually every day of his Olympic odyssey.

He is anxious to avoid any kind of confrontation with his new club and though he is suffering bumps and bruises and has played almost continuously throughout the summer, fatigue will not be mentioned when he eventually reports to United's Carrington training ground.

"I have a few niggles like most players but I am fit and young, so I can get through them," he said.

"I don't need a rest and I am looking forward to joining up with United.

"When I started my career, my ambition was to play in the Argentine First Division. As you progress, your sets get higher and moving to the Premiership with such a big club represents the next stage for me."

Before that, Heinze will have the chance to enjoy the mass celebrations expected to greet the squad when they fly back to Buenos Aires.

Favourites for the competition from the outset, Argentina did all that was required of them against a side that was eventually reduced to nine men as Paraguay's physical approach brought the wrong kind of reward.

Outstanding young striker Carlos Tevez netted an 18th-minute winner - his eighth goal of the competition - while Heinze was part of another impressive defensive effort as Argentina strolled through the tournament without conceding a goal.

If he was watching at home on TV, Ferguson will have seen Heinze turn in another assured performance and his acquisition seems to be an astute one.

On Saturday's evidence, Heinze looks to be a more formidable central defender than left-back, where the United boss intends to deploy him, although the player himself claimed he had no preference.

"All I want to do is try to get into the team," he said. "It doesn't matter where."