New light shed on fractured atmosphere which drove Butt out of Man Utd

Nicky Butt Man Utd 2018

Nicky Butt left his role at Manchester United for more reasons than just to seek a ‘new challenge’, a report has claimed to reveal.

United announced the 46-year-old’s departure from his job as head of first-team development on Wednesday. The club’s official website claimed that the desire for a new challenge fuelled his exit. What’s more, they said that he left with the ‘warmest regards’ of everyone at Old Trafford.

However, according to The Athletic, the recent reshuffling of key roles at United also played a part.

John Murtough became the football director earlier this month, changing his title from head of football development. Furthermore, Darren Fletcher, who only joined the club’s coaching staff in January, moved into a technical director role.

However, club officials reportedly failed to give staff enough notice of the impending changes.

In addition, Butt reportedly felt he did not get enough of a chance to put his name forward for the two jobs.

The Athletic adds that Butt and Murtough were like ‘chalk and cheese’. As such, their differing perspectives eventually led to a boiling over of tensions.

Butt, who won six Premier League titles as a Red Devils player, put his footballing knowledge at the forefront of his work.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer happy with new management roles

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer happy with new management roles

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is 'very happy' with the club's decision to appoint John Murtough as football director and Darren Fletcher as technical director, and believes the new roles will improve the team.

Murtough, however, has previous experience as an administrator.

Therefore, as Murtough increased his seniority over recent months, a fractured environment arose, leading to Butt deciding to leave when United made public the news of their new roles.

Indeed, the report adds that Butt could not accept Murtough effectively acting as his line manager.

In his nine years at United, Butt helped the likes of Mason Greenwood, Dean Henderson and Scott McTominay develop.

Solskjaer offers regards to Butt

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Speaking to the club’s official website, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanked his former team-mate for his service.

The Norwegian said: “Nicky will always be a legend of Manchester United as a six-time Premier League winner and, of course, an integral part of our treble-winning team.

“That pedigree has made him a great source of guidance and inspiration to our academy players since he returned to the club.

“We are all going to miss him around the Aon Training Complex but Nicky knows he will always be welcome back.”

READ MORE: Nicky Butt steps down from Manchester United position