Manchester United have turned down an offer from Newcastle United for the defender Wes Brown.

Brown is out of contract at the end of the season and is being courted by a series of potential buyers, with the Sunderland manager Roy Keane - a former team-mate - also thought to be among his admirers. Newcastle were the first club to firm up their interest, but they will have been frustrated by the response from the Premier League champions.

"There was an enquiry from Newcastle about Wes and we turned it down," confirmed the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "The matter rests with Wes and his agent. We'll just wait and see what happens. Our offer is still there - it's now up to Wes."

The 28-year-old, who has 14 England caps, appears to be on his way out of Old Trafford as he has thus far refused to put pen to paper on United's final contract offer.