Nicky Butt claims ‘Man Utd should not be in debt and struggling’ amid takeover ‘talks’

Nicky Butt has said investment into Manchester United can only be a positive thing, as the Glazers’ continue to look for a new buyer.

The Red Devils owners announced last month that they were looking for ‘strategic alternatives’ that could include ‘new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions’. In the subsequent weeks, there have been repeated reports of who could potentially complete a takeover of the club, including the likes of Amazon, Apple and Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The latest reports from The Athletic claim Avram Glazer ‘held talks with potential investors’ at the World Cup, including from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Yet Butt, who made 384 appearances for United between 1994 and 2004, feels investment is desperately needed if his old side are to compete with the top clubs in the Premier League.

“It’s going to take a lot of due diligence and a few months to get it sorted, maybe years,” the 47-year-old exclusively told ManchesterWorld.

“The good thing is the owners have realised that they need to bring investment back into the club, whether that’s full investment by selling the whole lot, or it’s a small percentage of the club, it’s good for everyone. We’re the biggest football club in the world and Manchester United should not be in debt and struggling,” he added.

United return to league action on 27 December when they play Nottingham Forest, with the Red Devils ending the pre-World Cup period of the season in fifth place, three points off the Champions League places. Yet Butt believes United ‘should’ finish in the top four this season if they can renew their impressive form over October and November when the league resumes.

“I don’t really know with the World Cup in the middle of the season. You come back and can you get the players all ready to go? If they can, they’ll be fine,” said the Class of ‘92 graduate.

“[Erik] ten Hag looks like he’s starting to get his ways out onto the football pitch; he’s taking no prisoners and the players all know who the boss is. Apparently his training is very good and there have been some good performances. They’re not where they want to be, but if they kick on as they have been they should get top four.”