Manchester United have confirmed that former midfielder Nicky Butt has returned to the club in a coaching capacity.
According to the club’s official website, Butt—a member of the legendary ‘Class of 92’—has been appointed as the head of United’s academy.
The 41-year-old is a club legend, having been part of the famous Fergie Fledglings who went on to clinch the Champions League title in 1999 having come through the ranks together.
The midfielder made 387 competitive outings for the Red Devils between his debut in 1992 and his departure for Newcastle United in 2004.
He won six Premier League titles alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and the Neville brothers, while also lifting three FA Cups and the Intercontinental Cup.
Gorton-born Butt, who holds a Uefa Pro licence, also represented England 39 times and ended his career after stints with Birmingham City and South China.
“It’s a privilege to take on this role,” Butt began, speaking to the club’s official website [as above]. “As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it’s a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the Academy and to instil its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players.
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“It’s a big challenge but I am fortunate to be taking over a dedicated, first-class team. Our aim remains the same – to keep supplying the first team with well-coached, rounded players that understand the responsibility of playing for the biggest club in the world.”
While no generation of United academy graduates have since made as big an impact in the first team as the Class of 92, current Red Devils players such as Jesse Lingard, Adnan Januzaj, Paddy McNair and Donald Love have come through the club’s youth set up.