Despite manager Alex Ferguson's insistence the 26-year-old would not be allowed to leave, the Daily Telegraph reported that American tycoon Glazer has decided the five-year deal to replace the final two years of his contract was Ferdinand's last offer.

With huge interest payments on Glazer's debt after wrapping up a 790 million pound takeover earlier this month, the American was keen to cut spending.

Ferguson has been promised no more than 26 million pounds a year to spend on the transfer market and the new United regime would prefer to sell Ferdinand now rather than run the risk of the player leaving for nothing in 2007.

Ferdinand was in the news for other reasons on Tuesday when The Sun reported he was among a group of footballers questioned after alleged stag party high jinks at a hotel.

A police investigation was launched into an allegation that a fellow guest was sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher during the early morning disturbance.

Ferdinand and Stoke defender Michael Duberry had been at a stag party thrown by Millwall midfielder Jody Morris.

Police confirmed all three footballers were among those spoken to but no one was arrested and it was unclear which, if any, of the footballers were involved in the alleged assault.

The alleged incident came just hours after reports Ferdinand was involved in a fracas in a Swedish nightclub.