Butt ‘expects’ Man Utd to sign best young players in Europe

Rob Conlon
Nicky Butt: Former player appointed head of academy

Nicky Butt suggests Manchester United are set to go on a recruitment drive of some of the best young talent in Europe this summer.

Former United midfielder Butt was appointed head of the club’s academy in February, replacing Brian McClair, who took up a role with the Scottish FA last year.

Despite the recent breakthrough of 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford, concerns have been raised about the quality of United’s youth set-up, and Butt concedes there is a shortage of prospects.

The 41-year-old has made attracting starlets as good as the likes of Paul Pogba and the fabled Class of 92 one of his main priorities ahead of the summer.

“I definitely expect that to happen,” he told the official club website.

“We’re short on a few numbers in the different age groups and it’s something we need to address, something we are addressing and something we will hopefully get over the line in the next few weeks, in time for next season.

“It’s the same as any other club. We all want to attract the best young players in Europe, at whatever age, and we’re exactly the same. We want to attract the best players we can from all over Europe and bring them into what we feel is already a great set-up.”