Why Butt Is A United Legend

Nicky Butt was appointed as United’s new Head of Academy on Tuesday to begin the latest chapter in his iconic Reds career. The 40-year-old has the club running through his veins, and he is unquestionably a fitting candidate to continue producing young players for the first team. Here, Mark Froggatt highlights eight reasons why he is a club legend…

1: One of our own

Born in Gorton, east Manchester, Butt was raised in the same teak-tough area that was once home to former United captain Roger Byrne. The community has stayed close to his heart. “I still go back and have a drink with my uncles,” he said in 2013. “It’s a rough place, but a good place. People never looked at me as a footballer. I was expected to get my round at the bar like everybody else.”

2: A homegrown talent

Butt's real education was delivered at The Cliff by former youth-team coach Eric Harrison, famously growing up alongside David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and the Neville brothers in a batch of prospects that later became known as the Class of ’92. Alongside the Busby Babes, it remains the greatest youth side in the club’s history and one that lifted the FA Youth Cup.

3: Nicky knows how to make it

Nicky was not an overnight sensation – his stardom was the result of constant hard work. “We made it because we were talented, had real hunger and had each other to look at,” Butt recalls. “If I was having a coffee at The Cliff and saw Becks practising free-kicks or Scholes practising shooting I’d think 'I’d better get out there', because I never wanted them to get a head start."

4: He's as hard as nails

Roy Keane was seen as United's hard man in the Ferguson era, but even the Irishman would have thought twice about crossing Butt. He was tough, tenacious, ruthless and brave in a manner that displayed the attributes of industrial Manchester and United. “He was streetwise," said Scholes. "If there was any trouble, you could look to your right or left and Nicky would be there to sort it out!”

5: The CV doesn't lie

Butt registered 387 United appearances and scored 26 goals. He also assembled a trophy cabinet that includes six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup and four FA Community Shields. Internationally, he claimed 39 England caps and was even named in FIFA’s Team of the Tournament at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

6: Big goals in big games

Butt didn't score many in his Reds career but he bagged a couple of important goals against fierce rivals. A classic example was his opener in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in October 1995, a game that is best remembered for Eric Cantona's return from suspension. And who can forget his winner in the 3-2 triumph over Leeds in November 1998, with a superb turn and finish past Paul Robinson?

7: He stepped up in Barcelona

With Scholes and Keane suspended, Ferguson turned to Butt to command United’s midfield in the 1999 Champions League final. It required him to sit out the preceding FA Cup final win over Newcastle, a huge personal blow, yet it was worth it when he was wearing a European Cup winners’ medal following an industrious, energetic 90-minute display against Bayern Munich.

8: An eye for talent

Butt has been coaching at United since 2013 and it was his advice that prompted interim manager Ryan Giggs to hand James Wilson his senior debut in May 2013. That led to the striker scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Hull City and such an eye for talent will stand him in good stead as United’s new Head of Academy.

Credit: Manutd.com