Big changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
It’s be an extremely difficult season at Manchester United, and that extends to their academy, which is seen to have fallen behind the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham in youth development.
Since the departure of former United player Brian McClair as the Head of the Youth Academy, the club has been looking for a replacement and, 10 months later, they have got their man.

Nicky Butt, a key member of the famous ‘Class of ’92’, will take over from McClair as the Head of the Youth Academy.
While Butt has been involved with United in various coaching capacities since 2012, the appointment, particularly the length of time taken to make the announcement, has come as a surprise to many.
United spend a year looking for a replacement for Brian McClair as the Head of the Youth Academy, aaaaand…welcome Nicky Butt! #WelcomeButt
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) February 15, 2016
Nicky Butt taking over McClairs job… I dont know.. a steady, experienced person may have done a bit better but he’s alright too
— Haider (@haider_s23) February 15, 2016
Good luck Nicky butt you’ve got a hard task ?
— CR (@BitOfAKnob) February 15, 2016
Pretty much sums up #MUFC at the moment with this latest Nicky Butt fiasco. Great to see him get it yes, but why wait 12 months.
— Matthew Law (@MLAW29) February 15, 2016
Nicky Butt has been slowly and surely climbing the United ladder. Going to be part of the BOD for sure one day and MAYBE manager. #mufc
— Eden (@EdenZendle) February 15, 2016
So we spent a whole year to decide to promote Nicky Butt
— T-3-D-D-Y (@T3D7DY) February 15, 2016
Nicky Butt head of the academy? We are Seriously going down quicker than the titanic. Talk about giving jobs for the boys. Omfg
— Mickey Manu Manu! (@trickimickey) February 15, 2016
One must wonder why it has taken so long for the club to appoint a household name in Nicky Butt as academy director. Indecisiveness again.
— Aashish (@ginger_prince28) February 15, 2016
Tough for anyone to assess Nicky Butt’s suitability for the Academy Head role, but fact it’s taken 10 months to appoint him = alarm bells
— Nick (@ManUnitedYouth) February 15, 2016
Either way, big changes are being made at United at the moment, with Paul McGuinness, who had been with the club since 1992, sacked as the U18 coach last week, following a string of bad results.
The big question now is whether LvG will soon follow.
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