Giggs future in doubt after contract refusal

Ryan Giggs could be the next high-profile player to leave Manchester United after turning down the offer of a new contract amid reports that the club are willing to listen to offers for the 30-year-old Welsh winger.

Ryan Giggs could be the next high-profile player to leave Manchester United after turning down the offer of a new contract amid reports that the club are willing to listen to offers for the 30-year-old Welsh winger.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, has also been told to sell before he can buy as the Old Trafford club look to cut costs.

"I have been offered a one-year extension to my current deal but I turned it down," Giggs said. "I was hoping for a longer deal. I want to end my career at Manchester United and asked them to reconsider.

"The club have gone away to consider it and we're now waiting to arrange a second meeting. I hope that they come back to me with a longer deal. I'll just have to wait and see."

If United are tempted by the right offer, Giggs, who made his debut in 1990 and has played over 500 games for United, could be sold during the January transfer window, however, it is more likely that he will leave next summer. Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough would all be interested if Giggs was put up for sale.

Ferguson is said to be unhappy that the board have only offered Giggs a one-year extension to the contract which expires at the end of next season. The United chief executive David Gill has, however, told Ferguson he will have to bring in funds next summer before trying to strengthen the squad.

United have already spent next year's budget on the capture of Wayne Rooney from Everton. "We intended to get Wayne Rooney next summer but we've bought him now. So that was next year's budget gone," Gill said.

"You have now got to assess where we are as a team at the end of the season - what we have achieved, where the weaknesses are. In terms of the first-team squad, we've got 25 players. The manager has to give his views on those players and decide where the squad needs strengthening or where it doesn't need strengthening.

"Bodies will have to leave before we invest. But bodies will have to leave anyway because of the numbers. If Sir Alex wanted to invest more we would have to lose someone. And all our players are high profile."

Should Giggs depart it will be another sign that United's era of dominance built around Giggs, Scholes, the Nevilles, Butt and Beckham, who all came through the club's academy, is coming to an end.