Ryan Giggs: Manchester United legend leaving after 29 years at club

Ryan Giggs is to leave Manchester United after 29 years to pursue his managerial ambitions, the Premier League club have announced.

Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for the Red Devils, had one more year on his contract as assistant manager but new boss Jose Mourinho is expected to give that role to Rui Faria.

The Old Trafford club had hoped Giggs could be persuaded to stay on in a different role but the 42-year-old Welshman has decided to move on.

The Cardiff-born Giggs has spent the last two seasons as Louis van Gaal's assistant, having served a short stint as caretaker manager after David Moyes' departure at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

Prior to that, he was a fixture in United's first team for 23 years, scoring 168 goals in all competitions and winning 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League twice.

In total he won 34 trophies during his playing days, making him the most decorated player in United's history.

But the fans' favourite has never hidden his desire to progress as a manager and he is widely believed to have been disappointed that he was overlooked for the top job.