Butt named as head of first-team development by Manchester United

Nicky Butt has been named as Manchester United’s head of first-team development. The 44-year-old was head of the club’s academy but will now report to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and will help “create a seamless journey for young players stepping up to the next level”. Butt, who made 387 appearances for United, told the club’s official website: “Manchester United is in my DNA and this is a very proud moment for me as I take on this new role. “I am passionate about nurturing, developing and coaching the talent we have here to become top players at this club.” Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward believes the restructure will help United’s young stars make the step up to the first team. He said: “These changes will further enhance the excellent work and results we have seen over many decades in our academy system and enable us to continue our proud traditions of producing world-class players capable of playing and excelling in the first team.” Topics Manchester United, Nicky Butt Van Gaal has Ferguson aura, believes Butt Manchester United and Liverpool Under-21 sides to compete in EFL Trophy Betting breaches a ‘genuine mistake’, insists Scholes Ranked! Manchester United’s 15 best academy graduates of the last 25 years Rodri confident he can add a physical edge to Manchester City British players who have moved to the Bundesliga Former Scotland international Charlie Adam signs for Reading Vela ready for ‘fresh challenge’ to his career after suffering Bolton misery It’s not all doom and gloom for St Mirren – Ryan Flynn Tottenham set to complete £80 million double signing of Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon this week 28 red hot fantasy football tips Real Madrid offer whopping Gareth Bale-plus-cash deal in bid to sign Neymar – report 7 intriguing transfers that have gone under the radar this summer Ranked! The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years