Butt: Manchester United Youngsters Helped By Circus Act

Manchester United are using a circus performer to help boost the development of their young players, Nicky Butt has revealed.

Butt, appointed as the club's new head of academy in February, has been working closely with Jose Mourinho this season looking to nurture talent for the first team at Old Trafford.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's lunchtime Manchester derby, live on Sky Sports 1HD, Butt feels a "health and safety" approach and using electronic devices restricts outdoor activity and hinders the physicality of teenage footballers.

The former United and England midfielder told The Times: "I see players in our academy and they can't move. Our lads don't know how to fall, roll and you should see the amount of injuries we get from popped shoulders or their arms.

"I probably fell out of a tree 15 times and never hurt myself. I don't think my son has ever climbed a tree. Body mechanics lose so much when you're not climbing trees, not playing basketball, cricket and rugby.

"This might sound bizarre but we've had a guy come in from the circus, telling the kids how to do spinning plates, jumping through hoops, circus tricks to get their biomechanics working.

"We had a free runner, the 'parkour' lads who jump over buildings, set up a course."

Striker Marcus Rashford, who is pushing for a starting spot in the weekend's derby after his hat-trick heroics for the England U21s, is getting plenty of attention and Butt is delighted at his progress.

He added: "You couldn't pick a better player to be at this club or any big club. Marcus will get first team opportunities because he's that good. If he keeps keeps doing what he's doing with his pace and directness, you cant hold him back .

"If you get a player like Marcus, and he does what he did last year this year, he's a £50m player straight away. It's an investment."

Credit: Skysports.com