Plenty of interest in Butt

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has reported “plenty of interest” in want-away midfielder Nicky Butt.

Ferguson reluctantly accepted Butt’s transfer request this week after the England star’s frustrations at failing to hold down a regular first-team berth this season finally boiled over.

Middlesbrough, Tottenham, Birmingham, Newcastle and Everton have all been linked with the £5million-rated 28-year-old who has started just one Barclaycard Premiership game since the beginning of November.