Rene Meulensteen has been offered an academy role at Manchester United.

The Daily Mail says the highly-rated Dutchman has been told his days as first-team coach are over following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, but that he can remain at United as head of their youth set-up.

United value his expertise and would be happy for him to revert to a role he filled before being promoted by Ferguson.

But it is understood he is leaning towards making a clean break and is ready to confirm that he will follow assistant manager Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele out of Old Trafford in the next 24 hours.