Giggs contract talks next week

Ryan Giggs is hoping to thrash out a new Manchester United contract next week.

The Wales winger’s current deal expires at the end of next season, with the club so far refusing to meet his demand for a two-year extension.

Giggs has insistedhe has no desire to leave Old Trafford, while United chief executive David Gill is equally convinced the 31-year-old will end up staying.

However, so far, no way has been found to get around established club policy of not giving anything more than one-year contracts to over 30s, leaving Giggs potentially just 12 months away from departing on a free transfer.

But, after a six-month impasse, Giggs’ advisor Harry Swales will meet Gill next week in an effort to settle the dispute.

“We will talk again at some point next week and hopefully common sense will prevail,” said Swales.

“Ryan doesn’t want to leave United. We have never discussed anything else but it is not in my nature to start banging on tables and making demands.”

Giggs, who is a major doubt for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Newcastle as he struggles to recover from a hamstring injury, has spent all his 14-year professional career with the Red Devils, making a goalscoring debut against Manchester City in 1991.

That was the first of an incredible 629 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit, placing him third on the all-time United list.

A new deal would leave him with a realistic chance of eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton’s club-best 754, although at £70,000 (€102,800)-a-week, Giggs could find his future earnings based heavily on his fitness.