Nicky Butt
May 2026
Nicky Butt has urged Manchester United to pursue Micky van de Ven, claiming the Tottenham defender would provide a stronger and faster alternative to Lisandro Martinez in their defensive rebuild. Butt highlighted Van de Ven’s pace and physicality as key advantages, suggesting United should act quickly if Tottenham face relegation and are forced into sales, while also questioning links to potential managerial changes.
Bernardo Silva
April 2026
Nicky Butt says any move for Bernardo Silva to Manchester United will “never happen”, insisting the Portuguese midfielder has too much respect for Manchester City to cross the divide. Butt praised Silva as a phenomenal player and strong character, but said both loyalty and tactical fit make the idea unrealistic. Even with Silva approaching free agency, Butt does not see Old Trafford as a credible destination.
Lisandro Martinez
January 2026
Martinez invited Scholes and Butt to confront him directly after they questioned his ability to handle Haaland, with Martinez responding that criticism is easy on television but different in person. Pre-match comments suggested Haaland would overpower Martinez, but United’s defence held firm in a derby win; Martinez used the outcome as leverage to dismiss the talk and emphasise focusing on performances.
Nicky Butt
December 2025
Nicky Butt has delivered a harsh assessment of Manchester United’s decline, saying the club’s problems are structural and predicting it could take five to eight years before they are close to winning the Premier League again. Butt argues recruitment standards and the club’s overall foundation have deteriorated, to the point that even elite managers would not fix it quickly. He referenced United’s post-2013 instability and the 2024-25 collapse to 15th as evidence of deep-rooted issues.
Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United)
August 2025
Manchester United signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a £74m deal, but former midfielder Nicky Butt labeled the move a gamble, questioning if the young striker is ready to deliver consistently in the Premier League after just 13 Bundesliga goals. Butt praised the need for goals but suggested United should have targeted a proven, older forward. Comparing Sesko’s move to Rasmus Hojlund, he warned the lack of Premier League experience makes the signing a risk until Sesko adapts.
