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The 25 year-old, a £17 million buy from Sporting Lisbon in May 2007, is out of contract in June 2014, but attempts to reach an agreement on an extension to that deal have failed to progress with both sides understood to be a sizeable distance apart on salary figures, Daily Telegraph reported.

Although efforts by Zenit St Petersburg to sign Nani during the August transfer window proved unsuccessful, with the player reluctant to make the move to Russia, the Portugal international has now made it clear to Sir Alex Ferguson that he is increasingly unlikely to commit to a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.

Player and manager have since discussed the issue, with Ferguson telling Nani that he faces a reduced involvement in the first team if he continues to reject United's contract offer.

Sources close to Nani have insisted that the discussions with Ferguson were amicable and that the winger understands the manager’s assertion that he must select players who are part of the club’s future plans rather than those who are considering a move elsewhere.

Ferguson’s stance was highlighted with Ashley Young being restored to the starting line-up in preference to Nani for the 3-2 win at Chelsea on Sunday following two months out with a knee injury.