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Ryan Giggs declined his role to remain at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho since he wanted a 'gold-plated guarantee' he would replace the Portuguese as the club's next manager.

M.E.N. Sport understands Giggs conceded he was not the suitable choice to directly succeed Louis van Gaal, since he recognised United required experience to oversee the team's recovery, and he was braced for Mourinho's appointment as early as April.

Giggs then ended his 29-year association with United after he was offered a 'downgraded' role which would have seen him cut from Mourinho's matchday staff.

Mourinho had planned to have a meeting with Giggs but United maintained they would not put pressure on the 42-year-old, who has decided to depart United with Louis van Gaal and his Dutch coaching staff.

Mourinho was said to have earmarked City coach Brian Kidd as an option to vacate Giggs' planned role under the new structure but the Blues insisted Kidd was 'going nowhere'.

Giggs left United's Carrington training ground early on the morning Van Gaal's sacking was confirmed and headed to his restaurant George's in Worsley, where he was described as 'having a face like thunder'.

One source claimed Giggs said his goodbyes to groundsmen at United's training complex before he left the premises and the club has now confirmed his departure 40 days later.