Nemanja Matic has confirmed he is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season.
When Matic, 33, signed his last contract in July 2020, United stated the deal ran until 2023 but it has transpired this was an error and that Matic's contract was for a minimum of two years, with the option of an additional year.
Matic has exercised his right to end his United career after two years, rather than having his extension triggered.
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The Serb wrote on Instagram: "After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United. I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision.
"It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club. A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support.
"I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my teammates finish as strongly as possible."
Matic's impending departure exacerbates United's issues in midfield, which they already intend to reinforce with the addition of a defensive-minded signing.
United are working on a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United but the club do not intend to advance with any targets until Erik ten Hag is officially installed as manager.
Matic is the only specialist defensive midfielder in the current United squad and fellow midfielder Paul Pogba is all but certain to leave when his contract expires on June 30.
The departure of Matic and the communication error regarding the length of his contract marks another embarrassing episode for the former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, whose contract strategy backfired repeatedly.
Matic joined United for £35million rising to £40m from Chelsea in 2017 after Tottenham refused to sell Jose Mourinho's first-choice target, Eric Dier.
