Butt in ‘explosive’ nose-to-nose bust-up with Man Utd director
Nicky Butt was reportedly involved in a training ground clash with new football director John Murtough before leaving Man Utd.
Butt left his role as head of first-team development on Wednesday after spending nine years in various coaching roles at the club.
In a statement on the official Man Utd website, Butt said: “Having come through the Academy myself to play almost 400 games for Manchester United, it has been an absolute privilege to come back and work with a new generation of talent making that same journey.
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“I’m proud of the role everyone on the staff plays in giving our young footballers the best possible chance of fulfilling their potential, and the results are clear to see in the increased number of homegrown players reaching the first team.
“I already know from my playing days how difficult it is to leave Manchester United, but it feels like the right moment for a new professional challenge and I look forward to exploring opportunities that build on the great experiences I’ve had here over the past nine years.”
Since then, Football Insider has claimed that Butt had been involved in ‘an astonishing training ground bust-up’ with Murtough, who was made the club’s new football director earlier this month.
There was ‘a verbal exchange that was said by witnesses to be explosive’ at the Man Utd training complex around six months ago.
A source told Football Insider that the pair were ‘nose to nose’ and that they shouted ‘four-letter insults’ as they ‘nearly came to blows’.
The report describes Butt and Murtough’s relationship as ‘fractious’ with one source saying: “John was lucky it did not come to blows as Butty would have killed him, he was ready to really go for him.”
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Speaking earlier this month, Murtough couldn’t hide his excitement at taking on a new role at Man Utd as football director.
“This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first team, academy and women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come,” Murtough said.
“It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], Casey [Stoney] and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”