Manchester United keeper Ben Amos prepares for summer exit after 'frustrating couple of years'

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos has confirmed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season after being demoted to fourth choice at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old, currently on loan at Championship side Bolton Wanderers, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and is eligible to leave on a free transfer after making seven appearances in his seven years as a professional at the club.

Amos has been sent out on six different loan spells while at United but at the start of the campaign, he was told he was second choice behind number one 'keeper David de Gea.

However, following the signing of Victor Valdes, Amos has gone from second to fourth in the United pecking order, also behind Anders Lindegaard, and following his departure to Bolton his days at the club are looking increasingly numbered.

And the former England youth international says he is already planning for life after this season after seeing his dream of playing regularly for his boyhood club fade under United manager Louis Van Gaal.

"You could say Victor's arrival was the final nail in the coffin," he said. "Pre-season, I was told I was number two. With the cup games, if I'd got a sniff of that, that would have made it worthwhile sticking around for.

"As soon as Victor was brought in, I was essentially demoted to fourth really. Fourth-choice goalkeeper, you've got to move on. If I'm being totally honest because I am a United fan is why I've hung around a little bit more than I should have.

"But I don't regret anything. I've learnt every day and pushed myself every day. I've given it everything I have to make it at United. That's what I wanted to do. Now I have to look forward and there's a future after United.

"There's no secrets about that. I have to go and play football. People might say I've waited too long at United. They're probably right but I'm just looking forward now and wanting to enjoy my football.

"It's been a fair old while since I've got out and had some games. I've had a frustrating couple of years. It's been difficult and I've had to really motivate myself every day. I've managed to that because, like most players, I want to play in the Premier League one day.

"I'm out of contract in the summer at United. We tied it in that way, so that I had the freedom of a free move, being 24 I can leave on a Bosman. That gives me a little bit more flexibility about where I can go."