The 36-year-old winger has won every major club honour on offer in his 20 years at Old Trafford and has already started taking his coaching badges with a view to following former United team-mates including Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson into management when he hangs up his boots.

Quoted in the News of the World, he said: "My aim would be to manage either Manchester United or Wales."

He continued: "I don't think I'll know whether I'll cope with the aggravation until I've finished playing and say 'what do I do now?'

"Football is such a massive part of my life and to just stop in your late 30s and do nothing is tough.

"Even though there is so much stress involved, I think a lot of players become managers and really enjoy it.

"I think Roy Keane really enjoys it."