Manchester United striker Diego Forlan is set to leave Old Trafford for Spanish side Villarreal.

The Premiership club have confirmed they have agreed a deal with Villarreal for the transfer of Forlan.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has sanctioned Forlan’s departure from the club, despite an injury crisis among the club’s forwards.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is out for the season, Ruud van Nistelrooy is injured for another month while Louis Saha will return to training next week.

Forlan’s departure will leave Ferguson bereft of attacking options, with Alan Smith his only fit striker at Old Trafford.