Former Wales and Manchester United star Ryan Giggs is reportedly set to become a father for the third time with girlfriend Zara Charles. The 50-year-old and his 36-year-old partner are due to welcome the new arrival later this year, The Sun has reported.

Friends of the couple have reportedly said they are thrilled and eagerly anticipating the birth of their child.

The midfielder has two children with his ex-wife Stacey Cooke - Libby,19, and Zach, 17, who is with the Sheffield United academy.

A source revealed to The Sun: "Ryan was nervous about what his kids would think but they've got to know Zara over the last few years and really like her. They're happy because they know he's happy. But they've joked that he might struggle with the early mornings and lack of sleep."

Zara, a model, has been with the former Wales boss since 2021 and was at his side through his assault trial after he was accused of attacking his previous partner Kate Greville in November 2020.

Giggs pleaded not guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour over a three-year period towards his ex-girlfriend and also denied assaulting Ms Greville and her sister, Emma, during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester in 2020.

Giggs was set to face a second trial beginning in July 2023 after the initial hearing in 2022 ended with a split jury. But the former Wales boss was cleared of the allegations after prosecutors offered no evidence and withdrew the prosecution.

The decision was taken for the case not to be pursued after the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the charges during a pre-trial review at Manchester Crown Court.

Since then, Giggs has returned to football as director of football at Salford. The United legend is one of the club's co-owners alongside fellow Red Devils icons Phil Neville, Gary Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes. His role at Salford is the first job he has had in football since stepping down as Wales national team boss in June 2022.