Chinese striker Dong leaves Manchester United

LONDON (Reuters) - Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo has left Manchester United, the Premier League champions said on Thursday.

"Dong Fangzhuo's United contract has been cancelled by mutual consent," United said on their website (www.manutd.com).

The 23-year-old joined from Dalian Shide in 2004, spending two years on loan to Belgium's Royal Antwerp before making his competitive debut for United against Chelsea in 2007.

However the first Chinese player at Old Trafford struggled to break into the squad and played just twice for them last season before being sidelined by a knee injury.

He also appeared for his country at the Beijing Olympics.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Padraic Halpin)