Updated at 12.20
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE tasked Nicky Butt with developing their young players by naming him head of the club’s academy.
The 41-year-old was a member of the Class of 92 and spent 12 years at United — where he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in 1999.
Brian McClair left the role back in February, while U18s boss Paul McGuinness vacated his position last week after a 23-year association with the club.
Once famous for their youth system, United have lost serious ground on a number of clubs including city rivals Manchester City in recent times.
Butt has worked in a number of roles at United since retiring including reserve team coach and holds a Uefa Pro licence.
“It’s a privilege to take on this role,” said Butt. “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.
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.”
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward added: “I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of Head of Academy.
“Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this Club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the Academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had.
“Manchester United’s Academy is completely focused on producing young players for our first team.
“As a graduate of its finest team in the modern era, Nicky will bring passion, energy and experience to drive the Academy forward, retaining the characteristics that give us a competitive advantage – namely an unmatched track record of player development together with the runway of first-team action.
“In the last four years, some 15 Academy graduates have played for the first team, playing a total of 173 appearances – a record of which the Club is very proud.”
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