Nicky Butt to Stay?
By Chris O'Brien
January 28 2004
Rumours are that Nicky Butt has changed his mind about his future and now wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his first-team place. The England international had a transfer request reluctantly accepted earlier in the month, and has attracted interest from several clubs.
| Nicky Butt to Stay? |
| It is believed that Nicky Butt has gone
back on his decision to leave Old Trafford, and now wants to remain a
Manchester United player and fight for his place in the team. The England international had a transfer request reluctantly accepted earlier in the month, but a possible move away from Manchester for the midfielder was met by disappointment from fans and players at the club. Roy Keane in particular backed Butt to fight on at United and earn more first-team appearances. Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Everton were believed to be leading the race to sign the 28-year-old, and there were even rumours that Steve McClaren wanted to parade Butt around the Riverside before Boro's League Cup tie against Arsenal, but despite the club willing to sell for a cash fee, Butt would now appear hesitant to agree terms with another club. Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren dropped a big hint that Nicky could be staying as a Red Devils in an interview given earlier in the week, saying: "I think the latest I have is that Nicky Butt is staying at Manchester United. He's a player I've always admired, there's no two ways about that, but we've made enquiries along those lines and that's the end of that." If Butt is staying, until the end of the season at least, the news will be met by delight from the majority of United supporters. With David Beckham leaving during pre-season, and the new arrivals to United signings coming under criticism for mixed starts to life at Old Trafford, losing another player from the 'class of 92' is now what I, or many other United followers, want to see. |