France defender Mikael Silvestre said his playing days at Manchester United could soon be over following his criticism of manager Alex Ferguson's methods.
Silvestre said he was not confident of having a long career at the league champions.
"I could be leaving by Christmas," Silvestre told journalists in Melbourne today ahead of tomorrow’s friendly between France and Australia.
"Anybody can move. That's football."
He said he expected to play at Old Trafford at least until the end of the season.
"We'll see. It's one of the biggest clubs in Europe," Silvestre said. "It's difficult to find a better club, a better football life."
Silvestre is quoted on the Manchester United website manutd.co.uk as saying he disagreed with Ferguson's faith in defender Denis Irwin.
"We have let in lots of goals since the start of the season and according to the manager the problems stem from the centre of defence," Silvestre is quoted as saying.
"I have sat through videos of our matches with the manager but I don't agree with the theories he puts forward.
"Alex Ferguson repeatedly opts to play Denis Irwin and that is something I find really hard to cope with.
"However, I will hold myself back for the time being. I need to keep calm.
"It would be idiotic to blow a fuse but I've strung together some good performances so I feel somewhat bitter about our difficult start to the season."