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Sun 16 January 2022 | 5:30

Top facts about Nicky Butt, Manchester United warrior

Nicky Butt was an ordinary player among extraordinary names like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Gary Neville but he certainly did some influential work at Manchester United. He had the dedication, love, and courage to do anything for the club. Read on to find out more facts about Nicky Butt.

Nicholas Butt (born 21 January 1975) is an English football coach and former player who most recently served as Manchester United's head of first-team development. In addition, he is a co-owner of Salford City.

Nicky Butt’s age

is 46. Here you can find out the most important facts about Nicky Butt, Manchester United legend.

From 1992 until 2011, he was a professional football midfielder. Before going to Newcastle United in 2004, he started his career at Manchester United, where he spent 12 years in the first team, winning six Premier League championships, three FA Cups, four FA Community Shields, the UEFA Champions League, and the Intercontinental Cup.

In 2005–06, he was loaned to Birmingham City for a season. He concluded his career in Hong Kong, where he won the Hong Kong League Cup with South China.

Between 1997 and 2004, Butt won 39 caps for England. He was selected for the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and the UEFA Euro 2004.

An important fact about Nicky Butt is that he was clearly not as technically skilled as his 'Class of 92' colleagues

Ryan Giggs

,

David Beckham

, and Paul Scholes from the outset. Despite his lack of flair, Butt developed into a tireless, tough, and astute midfielder who had a long and fruitful career.

After spending several years as a member of Manchester United's junior system, the Gorton native made his first-team debut against Oldham Athletic at the close of the 1992-93 season.

Butt would later recall how he learned of his debut when the United manager, Alex Ferguson ordered him to make sure his parents were there to see the game.

A notable fact about Nicky Butt is that he was awarded the Denzil Haroun award for best reserve team player in 1993-94 while playing mostly with the reserve squad and making the rare first-team appearance around this period. The next season, he was promoted to the first team, typically coming off the bench to supplement his 11 starts.

Top facts about Nicky Butt:

Nicky Butt didn't get his chance to shine until the 1995-96 season, when Ferguson restructured his roster and promoted youth players to the first team. The experiment was a resounding success. Butt made 41 games in all competitions and was instrumental in United's Premier League and FA Cup triumphs.

Nicky Butt early life

Regarding

Nicky Butt’s childhood

, it should be mentioned that he was born in Gorton, Manchester, started his career as a member of Manchester United's junior squad before going professional in 1993.

Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding

Nicky Butt’s parents

.

Nicky Butt personal life

In 2004, Butt was arrested and released after being charged with assaulting a woman. Butt married Shelley Barlow, his longtime lover, in 2008. They are the parents of two children. In April of this year, Butt was arrested for suspected domestic abuse.

Nicky Butt professional career

The lifespan of Nicky Butt’s professional career as a footballer lasted 18 years. It all started in 1993 when he signed his first professional contract at

Manchester United

.

Subsequently, he spent 12 summers of his life at Old Trafford. Within this time, he won the Premier League six times and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy once.

Pele had famously picked out the Englishman as a future Ballon d’Or winner after the 2002 World Cup. Unfortunately, that prediction never happened.

Nicky Butt club career

A notable fact about Nicky Butt is that he made his Manchester United first-team debut in the 1992–93 season as a substitute against Oldham Athletic in a 3–0 Premier League triumph on November 21, but it wasn't until the 1994–95 season that he got his major break in the squad, frequently filling in for Roy Keane when he was injured or suspended.

Manchester United

On 10 April 1994, he made his first debut for the first team in the FA Cup semi-final against Oldham, this time as a substitute, in a 1–1 draw at Wembley Stadium. United won the rematch 4–1 at Maine Road, although he was left out of the starting lineup. Butt appeared in 35 games in all competitions in 1994–95, scoring one goal and starting in the FA Cup final, which United lost to Everton.

When Paul Ince moved to Internazionale at the end of the 1995 season, manager

Alex Ferguson

picked Butt to replace him in midfield alongside Roy Keane.

An important fact about Nicky Butt is that he was a member of Fergie's Fledglings, a group of young Manchester United players who had largely been involved in the club's FA Youth Cup success in 1992 and were progressively pushed into the first team over the following several seasons.

Others included David Beckham,

Gary Neville

, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes, all of whom spent a decade or more with the first team at Old Trafford and helped the club win multiple major trophies as England's dominating power.

Butt was a standout performer in United's early seasons as a regular first-team player, starting many games and scoring crucial goals, such as against Liverpool in Eric Cantona's comeback match in October 1995, and forcing Nigel Winterburn to concede an own goal for the winner against Arsenal in November 1996 – a game that ended a three-match league losing streak.

An important

fact about Nicky Butt

is that he also served as a reliable midfield ball winner while

Roy Keane

was sidelined for most of the 1997–98 season, receiving a PFA Team of the Year award in the process.

After forward Paul Scholes was re-deployed as a midfielder towards the end of the 1990s, Keane returned. Butt's first-team opportunities began to dwindle, with many of his appearances coming from the bench from this point on.

Butt went on to win a slew of awards at United, including a stunning and one-of-a-kind triple in 1999 (with Butt playing the whole Champions League Final due to Roy Keane's suspension), as well as numerous additional trophies in the years leading up to 2001.

Butt had six Premier League championship winner's medals, three FA Cup winner's medals, and a Champions League winner's medal by the time he left Old Trafford. In 1995, he was also the runner-up in the FA Cup.

Newcastle United

Nicky Butt submitted a transfer request in January 2004, but rejected down a January transfer window move to

Birmingham City

.

Bobby Robson bought him for Newcastle United for £2.5 million on a four-year agreement in July 2004. He was considered as a replacement for veteran Gary Speed, who had transferred to

Bolton Wanderers

.

After a dismal and injury-plagued 2004–05 season, Newcastle manager Graeme Souness signed Senegalese midfielder Amdy Faye in January 2005.

Despite a promising start, Butt's supporters turned against him following the FA Cup semi-final 4–1 loss to Manchester United. Butt was pushed further down the pecking order by the arrival of Scott Parker and Emre in the summer of 2005, and his season-long loan to Birmingham City (managed by former Manchester United colleague Steve Bruce) was confirmed on August 3, 2005.

A notable

fact about Nicky Butt

is that he walked out on his boss and former Manchester United colleague Steve Bruce on February 13, 2006, after learning that Bruce had put his son Alex Bruce ahead of him in the squad, and was ultimately fined two weeks salary.

Butt returned to Newcastle when Birmingham was relegated from the Premier League. Glenn Roeder was the manager at the time.

Butt won over some supporters with two goals scored by headers in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, despite not being an immediate fan favorite at St. James' Park.

There was talk that Sunderland's new manager, Roy Keane, might want to recruit his old Manchester United midfield partner. However, Butt stayed at Newcastle owing to a lack of back-up midfielders and his strong pre-season play.

Butt was significantly more active in Newcastle's first team during the 2006–07 season, playing in a holding position that enabled players like Parker and Emre to move forward.

Butt scored his first Newcastle goal in almost two years on January 14, 2007, when he scored the game-winning goal in a 3–2 victory against

Tottenham Hotspur

at White Hart Lane.

Butt's return to form was summed up when he led Newcastle against Zulte Waregem in a UEFA Cup match on February 15, when Parker was injured.

Butt's outstanding form continued that season, as he received the man of the match award for his effort against Arsenal on April 9th. When Parker was wounded, he continued to captain Newcastle, and by the conclusion of the season, it was generally assumed that he had won over the Newcastle supporters.

An important

fact about Nicky Butt

is that he continued to play a key role in Newcastle's 2007–08 season when Parker went to

West Ham United

. He signed a new deal on December 21 that will keep him at the club until the conclusion of next season.

He declared a desire to complete his career with Newcastle after being practically ever-present in that season.

Butt also served as captain for the first half of the season, coming in for the injured Michael Owen, and was a popular pick. Butt made his 100th league appearance for Newcastle on December 21, 2008, in a 2–1 home victory against Tottenham. Newcastle was relegated in that season, therefore Butt's record of appearing in every Premier League season has been broken.

Following Michael Owen's free move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window, Butt was named permanent club captain for the 2009–10 season, his first outside the Premier League.

Vice-captain Alan Smith, on the other hand, has been given the armband more often than Butt due to his outstanding performance. Butt played in fewer games, but he still did an excellent job in his holding position, guiding his team to tough shutouts in the majority of the games he started.

Butt announced his retirement in the build-up to Newcastle's last home game against Ipswich Town, after the team secured both promotion to the Premier League and the Championship championship.

He came in as a substitute in his last game and scored a penalty in a 2–2 tie. Butt and Vice-captain Alan Smith shared the Championship trophy.

Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton urged him to go into coaching when he left the club, however Hughton had not talked to Butt about a coaching role with the Magpies.

South China

On November 6, 2010, Steven Lo, the chairman of Hong Kong club South China, said that Butt was anticipated to sign with the club before the end of the month.

On November 22, Butt joined with South China. His debut match, wearing the No. 8 jersey, was against TSW Pegasus, which South China won 2–1. During this game, Butt scored a freekick but also missed a penalty.

After leaving South China, he played in center midfield with Paul Scholes in

Gary Neville

's testimonial against Juventus on May 24, 2011, rekindling old memories in a midfield that also included David Beckham. They did, however, lose the game to the Old Lady.

In Scholes' testimonial match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 5 August 2011, Butt played in midfield for Eric Cantona's New York Cosmos.

Nicky Butt international career

He gained his maiden England appearance against Mexico during the 1996–97 season, after been capped five times at under-21 level, and quickly established himself as a squad regular, providing solid backup for the center midfield positions.

Butt was given his opportunity in the starting lineup with Manchester United colleagues David Beckham and Paul Scholes due to an injury to first-choice midfielder

Steven Gerrard

before to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

He was deemed "the finest player of the England side" by Brazilian icon Pelé before of England's quarter-final match against Brazil, a praise to his performance in the unfashionable holding position. After a 2–1 loss to Brazil, England was eliminated from the World Cup.

He returned to his position as a squad player after the World Cup, giving veteran support for Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard's first-choice midfield combination.

He was chosen for UEFA Euro 2004, but was unable to compete due to injury. On November 17, 2004, he made his final appearance for his country in a friendly against Spain. He made 39 appearances for England in all.

Nicky Butt managerial career

Butt returned to Manchester United as a coach with the club's reserve squad in October 2012. He was named head of the academy in February 2016, only a few months after Brian McClair left.

Since Warren Joyce's departure for the managing role at Wigan Athletic in November 2016, he has served as temporary coach of the reserve (under-23) squad.

Following the resignation of David Moyes, he temporarily worked as an assistant to Ryan Giggs, who was named temporary manager of Manchester United's first team.

Manchester United revamped their backroom staff in July 2019, appointing Butt as the head of first-team development and reporting directly to manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

in order to assist young players move from the youth squad to the first team. Butt was succeeded as head of the academy by Nick Cox.

Butt announced his departure from Manchester United in March 2021, following 9 years of service in different coaching positions within the club's academy.

Nicky Butt, Manchester United legend

When the Class of 92 is mentioned, Nicky Butt isn't the first name that comes to mind. For their extraordinary success, the mythical Manchester United squad of the mid-1990s has become an overall football icon.

Nicky Butt was a crucial member of the renowned team. However, he is not the one who receives the most attention.

Nicky Butt's 18-year professional football career was cut short due to injury. It all began in 1993, when he joined Manchester United on a professional contract.

Following that, he spent the next 12 summers of his life at Old Trafford. He had won the Premier League six times and the UEFA Champions League once during this period.

During his time at the club, he also had the privilege of winning an Intercontinental Cup, three FA Cups, and four Community Shields. In 2004, he transferred to Newcastle United in the North East.

Butt spent six seasons with Newcastle between 2004 and 2010. He spent a season on loan with Birmingham City during his time with the Magpies.

He joined Hong Kong First Division team South China in 2010 and won the league with them before calling it a day. After that season, he announced his retirement from football.

The Manchester native has 39 times represented his nation. In the 2002 World Cup, he was a member of the Three Lions. That was the only major international event he has played wearing the England uniform.

Butt was born and raised in Manchester (Gorton, Manchester), so it's not surprising that he admired Manchester United for reasons other than football.

Butt grew raised as a die-hard Manchester United supporter. All he wanted to do after joining the club's academy was play at the top level of club football in the famous red jersey.

When he made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1992, it was a dream come true. The next year, he was promoted to the senior team on a permanent basis.

In his early days, he did manage to grab Sir Alex Ferguson's attention. Despite this, he had to wait until 1994/95 to get his first major break. To put it another way, he had to wait two years for regular football.

Butt had been a filling option for club captain Roy Keane up to that moment. If the Irishman had been suspended, injured, or resting, he would have won the nod.

Butt was one of the Red Devils' busiest players during the 1994/95 season. He appeared in 35 games in total, including the FA Cup final against Everton, where he started.

The departure of Paul Ince to Inter Milan in the summer transfer window of 1995 cemented Butt's place in the United starting XI. In the Man United midfield, he became Roy Keane's regular deputy.

Butt was a member of one of the most entertaining football teams in history. He'd risen through the ranks alongside some of the Premier League's most famous players.

Butt was a United junior teammate of David Beckham,

Paul Scholes

, Gary and Phil Nevile. After winning the FA Youth Cup in 1992, the squad rose to popularity.

All of these guys were gradually assimilated into the main team lineup. The media dubbed the group Fergie's Fledglings in addition to the Class of 92.

Each of the members of the group had been a member of the club for at least a decade. During their time at the club, they helped the club win various trophies. During SAF's rule, it was Fergie's Fledglings that solidified the club's supremacy.

Nicky Butt's impact on Manchester United

Nicky Butt had consistently put up outstanding performances on the field since breaking into the starting eleven. He used to score vital goals in addition to being a dominant presence in the midfield.

For instance, we may discuss his goal against Liverpool in Eric Cantona's return match after the infamous Selhurst Park kick incident.

Or we may recollect the moment when his tenacity forced Nigel Winterburn, a calm and controlled player, to concede an own goal. United's first victory in four league games came as a result of the mistake.

Butt was the kind of henchman you'd need in the center of the field to win midfield skirmishes. In 1997/98, his superb ball recovery talents made him a suitable replacement for Keane, who was injured.

He was so proficient at playing the holding midfielder position that United didn't even notice he was missing. He was even included to the 1997/98 PFA Team of the Year.

Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, on the other hand, were Manchester United's go-to midfield tandem in the following years. When Butt was called upon, he would still put in impressive shifts.

Nicky Butt was considerably more than a winner of balls. He'd serve as a link between the defense and the midfield. As a result, he was instrumental in moving the ball forward. He had all of the characteristics that one would expect from a contemporary number eight.

In 1999, Manchester United created history. They were the first English people to master the treble clef. In other words, they won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League all in the same season.

Butt's sixth season with Manchester United was 1998/99. He had shown his worth the previous season, but he was up against Roy Keane and Paul Scholes for a starting berth.

Butt's main job on the battlefield was to limit the opposition's assault source's ingenuity. He showed how adept he is at executing his job in the Champions League final at Camp Nou.

Stefan Effenberg was Bayern Munich's most flamboyant attacker in that day's match against Manchester United. Butt meticulously tagged him, thus he remained fairly ineffectual.

Do you remember Fergie Time? United acquired a reputation for scoring late goals to capture critical points under Ferguson. During the 1998/99 season, they developed this feature.

Nicky Butt had struck a game-changing late goal. United was facing Leeds United at home, and the score was knotted at 2-2. The visitors were on the verge of taking a point back home, putting their nemesis's championship hopes in jeopardy.

Butt had gathered the ball on the brink of the penalty area with the time running out. He had a little window of opportunity to shoot, and he took advantage of it. Paul Robinson, the Leeds custodian, was unable to stop it.

The goal had sent a ripple of happiness through the Old Trafford crowd. They were about to lose points until Butt intervened. In addition, he had given United bragging rights against one of their arch-rivals.

Some quick facts about Nicky Butt:

Nicky Butt was crucial again the following season as United won the title, appearing in 36 games across all competitions. Butt scored six goals in that season, making it his most productive season in front of goal.

The next season, Manchester United did not win the Premier League, but Butt had a successful season. Butt prospered in the heart of United's midfield in the absence of the often injured Roy Keane, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

The 1998-99 season was a watershed moment for United, as they won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, with Butt playing a vital part. Butt did not disappoint when called upon, despite having to come off the bench multiple times throughout the season.

Throughout the treble-winning season, he demonstrated his dependability, particularly in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

The next season, Butt made 28 league appearances as United won their second Premier League championship. Despite the club failing to go beyond the group stages of the Club World Cup, he scored for them against Vasco de Gama.

An important

fact about Nicky Butt

is that he had another fantastic season in 2000-01, playing a key role in center midfield with Keane and Scholes. In the league, he made 24 starts and eight in Europe. Manchester United won their third consecutive Premier League championship.

Butt would stay at Old Trafford for another three years. With the development of brilliant youth and the recruitment of new players, his position gradually dwindled. After winning six Premier League championships, three FA Cups, one Champions League, and one Intercontinental Cup, he departed the club in 2004.

Butt thought a transfer to the north-east was his best choice once United chose to trade him. Newcastle United came knocking. His first season, however, was marred by injuries, and he failed to make an impression at St. James' Park, making just 18 appearances.

Some supporters turned on Butt towards the close of the season, accusing him of not being good enough and blaming him for the FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United.

Butt struggled to find chances once Scott Parker and Emre arrived at Newcastle. He subsequently went on loan to Birmingham City, where he was managed by his old colleague Steve Bruce. Butt was unable to avoid Birmingham from relegation that season, and after making 24 league appearances and scoring three goals, he returned to Newcastle.

A notable fact about Nicky Butt is that he had a successful season under Glenn Roeder in 2006-07. He was a standout holding midfielder for Newcastle United, earning the respect of the supporters and sometimes standing in as captain.

However, things went downhill again as Newcastle United was relegated at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season. Butt chose to remain with the club despite the fact that it was the first time in his career that he had played outside of the Premier League, and he helped them return to the top level. Despite a rocky start to his Newcastle career, Butt was named club captain at the conclusion of the season.

While it was expected that Butt would retire following his time at Newcastle, he stunned everyone when he agreed to join South China in the Hong Kong League. In his debut game for the club, he scored a free kick and missed a penalty. The midfielder was only at the club for three months, making 13 games before calling it a day.

Nicky Butt was taken into the England team as a cover player during the 1996-97 season, and he remained in that role for the most of his international career.

In 1997, he was named to his first England squad, replacing Liverpool winger

Steve McManaman

. Glenn Hoddle preferred a midfield pairing of Paul Ince and Paul Scholes, hence he was not selected for the 1998 World Cup. In addition, he was left out of England's Euro 2000 team.

Butt had a fortuitous break just before the 2002 World Cup when Steven Gerrard was injured and he was catapulted into the first squad. He took advantage of the chance, finishing the tournament as one of England's best performers. Because of his tireless effort in midfield, where he broke up attacks, more creative players like Beckham and Scholes were able to go forward.

Following the World Cup, though, he struggled to find work. Despite being chosen for the Euros in 2004, Butt was unable to participate due to injuries. In a friendly against Spain in 2004, he earned his final international cap.

An important fact about Nicky Butt is that he did not waste any time after quitting from playing and transitioned into coaching. In 2012, he was hired as a reserve team coach by his previous club, Manchester United. He was elevated to head of their Academy four years later, succeeding former colleague Brian McClair.

Butt also had two stints with the club as an interim player. Following Warren Joyce's resignation, he once stepped in as Under-23s coach. He was also Giggs' deputy manager when the latter was appointed caretaker manager after David Moyes' dismissal in 2014.

Butt was promoted to head of first-team development in 2019 as part of a club reorganization, working directly to United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Butt was vital in the development of Brandon Williams and Tahith Chong, and one of the most significant aspects of his work is assisting young team players in making the move to the first squad.

Butt is a part-owner of Salford City FC, with fellow 'Class of 92' players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Phil Neville.

Former Manchester United colleagues Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have also played in testimonial matches for the midfielder.

Nicky Butt social media

Regarding

Nicky Butt social media

, it should be mentioned that he has an Instagram page (

@nickybutt92

) with more than 94k followers.

Nicky Butt body measurements

Speaking about

Nicky Butt body measurements

, it should be mentioned that the former star is 178 cm and 72 kg.

Nicky Butt net worth and salary

Nicky Butt, along with other ex-Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville agreed to buy

Salford City

before the 2014–15 season.

The club declared that they will play in a special friendly against a squad from the Class of '92. The company decided to sell a 50% ownership in the club to billionaire Peter Lim on September 22.

Nicky Butt's net worth

is presently estimated to be around $18 million.

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