Ferguson Urges Nicky Butt to Stay

The request was reluctantly accepted by United, who will allow Butt to go for a reasonable fee. However, with the transfer window closing on Monday evening a move away from Manchester is looking increasingly unlikely for the England international.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is believed to have had a £5.5million bid accepted by United for the 28-year-old, but is not confident he will be able to agree personal terms with Butt, who would now appear to want to remain a United player despite concerns of a lack of first-team football with the Premiership champions.

"I had a chat with Nicky yesterday," revealed Ferguson.

"I know his concerns and frustrations and I share them.

"He has been here since he was 13 years old and the service he has given us during that time has been fantastic.

"He is one of those great warriors you get at a club every now and then and I know the present situation is not easy for him.

"But we only have two days left and if he is still here next week everybody at the club would be happy."

Butt, who was skipper for United's F.A Cup tie against Northampton Town, is likely to be on the substitutes bench for the visit of Southampton to Old Trafford. Whether tomorrow will be his last match-day involvement with the Red Devils is unknown, but if I were to put money on it, I'd imagine Nicky Butt will remain a United player until at least the end of the season.

Contact the Author