Manchester United have cut loose Irish defender Sean McGinty.

The Daily Mail says McGinty, who cost United about £1million when signed as a hugely promising 16-year-old from Charlton's academy, had his contract 'terminated by mutual consent' after a showdown with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

This followed McGinty, 19, being sent back from a loan period with Tranmere last month after a serious breach of club discipline, with the player not turning up for training.