Wes Brown is facing the possibility of leaving Manchester United at the end of the season unless he reverses his decision to reject the Red Devils' latest contract offer.

Brown was expected to sign a lucrative new four-year deal this month but his advisors have now informed United the offer is not acceptable.

With Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill adamant no more cash will be on the table, the 28-year-old must now decide whether to agree to the deal or leave.

Having been with United since his schoolboy days, amassing 271 appearances and 14 England caps during an injury-plagued career, it is bound to be a wrench for Brown to leave.

In the summer, he admitted any move away from Old Trafford would be a major step down and while he has seen fellow long-serving team-mates Nicky Butt and Phil Neville secure regular first-team action away from United, Brown knows he has a major decision to make.

"We have had several meetings with Wes' agent but they have rejected our last offer," confirmed Ferguson.

"It is a good offer but it is our final one. That is the end of it now and we won't be going back."

With his present deal due to expire in the summer, Brown would be free to talk to potential suitors in January and even sign pre-contract terms with clubs outside the Barclays Premier League.

It is rare for United to find themselves in this position, especially with one of their home-grown players and particularly strange for Brown as, with Gary Neville suffering yet another setback from a long-term ankle problem, he seems destined to spend the entire campaign as first choice right-back.

"There is a possibility Wes could leave, which would be very disappointing," added Ferguson.

As one of the most pragmatic managers imaginable, Ferguson is unlikely to contemplate axing Brown from his squad, especially with Neville consigned to a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

The long-serving defender has not featured for United since breaking his ankle against Bolton in March.

It was originally hoped the 32-year-old would have recovered in time to face Chelsea in the FA Cup Final. But those expectations were quickly dashed, as have a number of comeback dates since as Neville was struck down by calf and thigh problems.

He did manage a reserve team outing last month but another appearance for the Red Devils' second string was scrapped last week and now Ferguson has confirmed another setback means Neville will not travel to Italy for Wednesday's closing Champions League Group F tie with Roma.

Instead, he will await the results of a specialist's examination which, while not ending his career, may well put it on hold for an extended period.

"I am positive we will get Gary back but what we may have to do is go back to base one and start again," said Ferguson.

"It is a concern when someone has an injury that is operated on six or seven months ago and they are still not back.

"He is getting small setbacks almost every time he is ready to play. That is a disappointment. We don't know yet whether he will need another operation but hopefully, we can sort it out."

Ferguson insisted the twin issues of Brown's contract and Neville's injury will not see him enter the transfer market for a full-back reinforcement, championing the claims of John O'Shea and Gerard Pique to fill the role, as well as youngster Danny Simpson.

Brown is certain to figure at right-back against basement boys Derby at Old Trafford on Saturday as United look to record another win in what Ferguson admits is looking increasingly like a four-strong title race.

"Could you imagine us going into the last week of the season with all four teams having the potential to win it," he said.

"It would be fantastic for the Premier League and for every neutral in the country. But what about the poor managers?

"It is bad enough worrying about one result without having to check three in the one day."