Nicky Butt is heading for Newcastle after flying home five days into Manchester United's tour of the United States.
The clubs have agreed a fee for the 29-year-old midfielder - believed to be £2.5million. All that remains is for Butt to agree personal terms and pass a medical.
He was widely expected to remain behind when United set off last week but was surprisingly included. However, he did not feature in the game against Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Butt made his debut at 17 and his winners' medals include one Champions League, six Premiership titles and two FA Cups.
He went on to make 387 appearances, the last of which was as a sub in the FA Cup final victory against Millwall.
A new order is beginning to emerge at United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson says that scenario keeps him motivated.
In a bid to retake the high ground from Arsenal and Chelsea, Ferguson strengthened his squad in the summer with the addition of Alan Smith, Liam Miller and Gabriel Heinze, although he is not now expected to arrive now until September.
Ferguson said: "The part that gets me optimistic is there is always change at a club like ours.
"You see the enthusiasm of Alan Smith and Liam Miller coming in. It is brilliant and tells you a great deal about football that it is never-ending."
Filed by Barry McEneaney