Nicky Butt

Nicholas "Nicky" Butt (born 21 January 1975 in Gorton, Manchester) is an English people football (soccer)er who currently plays for Newcastle United F.C.. Butt is primarily a defensive midfielder, and a former England national football team international.

Club career

Manchester United

He began his career at Manchester United F.C. as an important part of their youth team before turning professional in 1993. He became a regular player in the Manchester United first team from 1994-95 in English football onwards. His opportunities were somewhat limited by the presence of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, but nevertheless he collected many honours, including six Premiership titles, four FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League. He was also a part of the treble winning team in 1999.

His first-team opportunities at Manchester United further restricted by a number of new midfield acquisitions, Butt handed in a transfer request in January 2004, but turned down a proposed move to Birmingham City F.C. during the January transfer window and stayed at United for the rest of the season. He was signed by Bobby Robson for Newcastle United in July 2004 for a fee of £2 millions. He was seen as a replacement for Gary Speed, who had moved to Bolton Wanderers F.C..

Newcastle United

Butt had a disappointing and injury-marred 2004-05 in English football season, prompting the then Newcastle manager Graeme Souness to sign Senegal midfielder Amady Faye in January 2005. Despite a promising start the fan's turned on Butt after a FA cup game against Manchester United, in which he showed little effort and, according to some fans, assisted his former team to victory. The acquisition of Scott Parker (footballer) and Emre Belözoğlu in the summer of 2005 pushed Butt further down the pecking order, and his move to Birmingham City on a season-long loan was announced on August 3, 2005.

However, on the February 13 2006, Butt walked out on his manager and former Manchester United team mate Steve Bruce, after finding out Bruce placed his son Alex Bruce in the squad ahead of himself, and was later fined two weeks wages, which was £80,000 (€115,800). After Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League, Butt returned to Newcastle who were now being managed by Glenn Roeder.

Although not an instant fan favourite at St. James' Park, Butt won over some fans with two goals scored through headers in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal CF. There was some speculation that newly-appointed Sunderland A.F.C. manager Roy Keane would try to sign his former Manchester United midfield partner. However, due to the lack of back-up midfielders at Newcastle and his good pre-season form, Butt remained at Newcastle.

During the 2006-07 in English football, Butt was much more involved in the first team at Newcastle, playing in the holding role which allowed the likes of Scott Parker and Emre to go forward. On January 14 2007, Butt scored his first Newcastle goal in over 2 years when he scored the winner against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in a 3-2 victory. His good form that season continued, as on April 9 2007, Butt won the man of the match award for his performance against Arsenal F.C..

With former Newcastle United captain Scott Parker (footballer) having moved to to West Ham United, Butt looks to play a big part in Newcastle's 07/08 Premier League campaign.

International career

He won his first England cap (football) during the 1997-98 in English football season and became a squad regular, providing reliable backup for the central midfield positions. An injury to first choice midfielder Steven Gerrard before the 2002 FIFA World Cup gave Butt his chance in the starting line-up alongside Manchester United teammates David Beckham and Paul Scholes. He was named "the best player in the tournament" by Brazilian legend Pelé, a compliment to his performance in the unattractive holding role.

After the World Cup he returned to his role as a squad player, providing experienced cover for the first-choice midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. He was selected for the 2004 European Football Championship but missed the tournament through injury. His most recent international appearance was in a friendly against Spain national football team on 17 November 2004. In total he has appeared 39 times for England.

Honours

- Intercontinental Cup: 1999
- Champions League: 1999
- Premier League: 1995/1996, 1996/1997, 1998/1999, 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2002/2003
- FA Cup: 1996, 1999, 2004
- Intertoto Cup: 2006