Reports have surfaced that Dimitar Berbatov is on the verge of being offloaded this summer after being frozen out of the Champions League final.
The 30 year old Bulgarian striker still has a year left on his contract and United do have the option of adding an additional season should they so wish.
However talks over a new deal stalled some time ago and there have been no signs of a resumption being ordered.
Now it seems manager Sir Alex Ferguson has decided further work is futile.
Once he has come to such a concrete decision, the Scot’s normal tactic would be to usher the unwanted player through the exit door at the earliest opportunity.
In this instance, it would be even more likely given this summer seems certain to be one of change, and expense.