Ryan Giggs Agrees to Manchester United Exit Package Amid Latest Rumours

Ryan Giggs agreed upon a compensation fee with Manchester United on Friday. He will cut ties with the club this summer after 29 years at Old Trafford.

BBC Sport's Simon Stone first reported that Giggs was poised to depart after he was "unable to reach [an] agreement over another role" with the Red Devils almost three decades after arriving as a youth-team player in 1987. Manchester United confirmed Giggs' decision to leave on Saturday, noting that Giggs desires to become a manager. United also provided a statement from Giggs, which read in part:

"

This is why it is a huge decision for me to step away from the club that has been my life since the age of 14. It has not been a decision that I have made lightly. I'll take away so many special memories as well as a lifetime of experiences that will, I hope, serve me well in the future.

However, the time feels right and, although I have no immediate plans to step into management, it is where I want to be.

I've been extremely fortunate in having two great managerial mentors; first in Sir Alex, who I've spent the majority of my life working with and learning from and who I believe will remain as football's greatest-ever manager and in more recent times, Louis van Gaal, whose CV speaks for itself. The knowledge I have gleaned from them has been invaluable.

[...]

It’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I’m excited about the future - I've had the best apprenticeship into management anyone could ever ask for.

"

The Welshman served as assistant to axed chief Louis van Gaal, but Jose Mourinho is likely to instead bring in longtime colleague Rui Faria to fill that position.

According to Stone, Giggs is "unlikely to be short of offers" for managerial roles at the top level of the sport and could soon gain his first position in professional football away from United.

Stone also mentioned how Giggs was disappointed with United's treatment of Van Gaal, handing the Dutchman his marching orders after this year's FA Cup triumph, as emphasised by the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton:

Giggs made a club-record 963 appearances for the Red Devils after making his senior debut at the age of 17 in 1991, soon rising to prominence and establishing his name as a staple of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's teamsheet for years to come.

Bleacher Report posted a tribute to the Welsh wizard, whose contributions to the United cause will be credited as almost beyond measure, aiding the club in winning dozens of trophies:

Giggs' silverware cabinet from his playing days includes 13 Premier League titles—the most won by any player—as well as two UEFA Champions League winners' medals, four FA Cups, one FIFA Club World Cup and more.

The veteran made his punditry debut during ITV's coverage of Portugal and Poland's Euro 2016 clash on Thursday. Samuel Luckhurst and James Robson of the Manchester Evening News noticed a "subtle dig" from Giggs at the United hierarchy when noting the talents of Portugal starlet Renato Sanches:

Giggs served as interim manager at United following David Moyes' 2014 axing from the position, but he'll have to hone his craft elsewhere before any return to the home dugout at the Theatre of Dreams.

Having worked under a great mentor in Ferguson for so long, the club icon has undoubtedly picked up his share of tricks of the trade. Old Trafford now holds its breath in anticipation of Giggs' return.