The much-injured 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and his demands for a substantial increase in salary were rejected by the club.

"We've made the boy an offer and he's turned it down. It's his decision," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to The Guardian newspaper.

Ferguson said he would prefer if England international Brown stayed at Old Trafford but that "if he wants to look elsewhere that's up to him."

If the situation remains unchanged, Brown would be free to seek a change of club during the winter transfer window.