Manchester United have confirmed they have appointed Nicky Butt as the head of their academy on Tuesday.
Brian McClair left Old Trafford 10 months ago to take a role at the Scottish Football Association and since his departure, the position is vacant. The former United midfielder was the part of the famous Class of '92, which includes the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville and Phil Neville.
A statement read on United's official website read, "Nicky Butt has been appointed as Manchester United's new Head of Academy. Nicky, 41, is a graduate of the Academy's famous Class of '92 and made 387 competitive appearances for the Club between 1992 and 2004, during which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a UEFA Champions League and an Intercontinental Cup winners' medal. He currently holds his UEFA Pro coaching licence."
United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has expressed his delight after appointing Butt as McClair's replacement. He said, "I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of Head of Academy."
"Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this Club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the Academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had."
The 20-time English champions will be hoping that the latest changes in United's academy will help them reap benefits on a long run. In the current setup, Louis van Gaal has handed first team debuts to several of the players.
The list includes the likes of Paddy McNair, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tyler Blackett and lately Donald Love also made his debut during United's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.
