Manchester United fear Ryan Giggs is on the verge of ending his near 29-year association with the club.

Giggs, 42, is due to return on Thursday from Dubai, where he has spent the past week deliberating over his future at Old Trafford, and is expected to hold talks with United’s new manager, Jose Mourinho, before the end of the week.

United have not yet given up hope that Giggs may stay at the club he joined on his 14th birthday, but they are aware of his disappointment at being overlooked for the manager’s job in the wake of Louis van Gaal’s sacking and his desire to try his hand at management.