End of an era as Giggs looks set to move on after 29 years

Ryan Giggs has ended his 29 season career at United after agreeing a settlement with the Old Trafford club.

The 42-year-old had a year left on his contract as assistant manager but new manager Jose Mourinho intends to fill that role with long-term friend and confidante Rui Faria.

Unable to reach an agreement over another role at the club Giggs - United's all time record appearance maker with 963- has decided to move on.

Giggsy has his UEFA Pro Licence, a mandatory coaching qualification and has made no secret of his desire to move into management

Linked with Swansea last season, he felt he was ready to take over at United having served his apprenticeship under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal following a four-game spell as interim boss after the former's sacking in 2014.

He was known to be less than impressed with how Van Gaal's exit was handled after the FA Cup win and was also disappointed to be overlooked in favour of Jose Mourinho.

He is unlikely to be short of offers from chairmen ready to give the Welshman his first permanent managerial role, having passed all the relevant coaching qualifications and learning his craft at the biggest club in the world

Giggs represented one of the last remaining links to the glorious Ferguson era, and given his service and achievements at our club, it's a PR disaster to allow him to leave.

He was largely responsible for the first-team promotion of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford and is the embodiment of the United traditions of a commitment to youth and attacking football. 

However, he was part of static management team criticised by fans, pundits and former players alike for a dull style of play that ultimately cost Van Gaal his job.

Spearheaded by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, United are now a different club to the trophy-winning juggernaut of the Sir Alex era.

With a revised transfer policy of world class marquee signings and the abrupt end of the Moyes and Van Gaal tenures - coupled with the appointment of Mourinho - winning has been prioritised ahead of longevity and long term planning.

Despite one senior member of the club's hierarchy saying Giggs "triple-ticked" many essential components needed for the United manager's job, he remains unproven at the highest level.

It now seems likely that he will have to prove his worth and cut his teeth of management at another club, but whether that will lead to an eventual return to the Old Trafford hotseat in the future, it's too soon to tell.

Thanks for the memories, Giggsy.