Former Manchester United star Ronnie Wallwork could face another jail sentence after he admitted stealing a car.

The 36-year-old ex-Red pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft involving an Audi A4 on September 21, 2010, belonging to car finance company Money Barn PLC.

He was warned by a judge at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court that a prison sentence could follow.

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Releasing Wallwork on bail ahead of a sentencing hearing next month, Judge Andrew Lowcock warned him: “You should not read anything into the fact that I am granting you bail. All options, including custody, will be considered.”

Wallwork, from Failsworth, near Oldham, walked into the dock wearing a suit and tie and spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.

He made his debut for United at the age of 20 in 1997 and after playing alongside Old Trafford legends including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, he earned a Premier League title winners’ medal for the 2000-01 season after making 12 league appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

His football career ground to a halt in 2008 and three years later, he was jailed for 15 months for selling on parts from stolen high-performance cars. Wallwork also made headlines in 2007 when he was viciously stabbed outside a Manchester city centre nightclub in a row over a girlfriend.

Nicholas Flanagan, defending Wallwork, described the theft case as unusual.

He said Wallwork had pleaded guilty on a basis and said that the Audi A4, registration number DA08 BAW, had been ‘lawfully leased and paid for by Wallwork’ but between September 21, 2010 and January 2011 he ‘dishonestly took it from the leaseholders’.

The court heard that Wallwork had made repayments of around £22,000 on the car before the contract came into dispute and police were alerted.

No further details about the case were revealed in court by prosector Barrie Darby.

The case was adjourned for the probation service to draw up a pre-sentence report.

Wallwork, who made 19 appearances for Manchester United and also won four caps for England under-20s, was released on unconditional bail and will return to the same court for sentence on July 3.