NIcky Butt's Appointment Places United's Academy in Good Hands

The news that Nicky Butt has taken over as head of United's academy should be welcomed by all United fans.

It's not just that Butt is one of our own and a figure steeped in the history of the club, a winner of six Premiership medals and a link back to successful United sides of the past - it should also put to bed any fears that the modern United is abandoning its commitment to youth development.

Such rumours have certainly been stoked by elements of the media eager to gloat on what they see as the festering corpse of a once great club.  They were clearly nonsense and anyone inclined to believe them should ask whether they really think a board featuring Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton would really preside over such a policy.

Evidence for the abandonment theory had emanated largely from the failure to replace Brian McClair last summer.  Now the reason for this appears clear.  Butt has continued his development within the club and been given responsibility for the UEFA Youth League team since then and United clearly feel that he's gained the experience that he didn't have at the time of McClair's departure.

Of course, he'll find the pressure on him in the role.  Critics this season have pointed to the youth team's poor form and early exit from the Youth Cup as evidence of a waning academy.  Yet United are thriving at Under 21 level, with a team featuring players like Fosu-Mensah who've been brought through early from the Under 18s, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson - a member of Butt's Under 19 side - has acquitted himself brilliantly since his elevation to the senior 

side.  

United have always prioritised development over results at youth level, which is why we only won the FA Youth Cup twice under Fergie's tenure and have rarely performed better than moderately in the Academy league.

No doubt Butt will still find the media vultures still circling as he takes charge, but he's a man with the character to deal with such nonsense and, as a youth team graduate himself, there is no doubt he'll continue to ensure that the Reds continue to nurture and develop young talent in the best possible way.