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.

While Butt seems sure to become the second member of the famed ‘Class of 92’ to leave Old Trafford following the summer departure of David Beckham, Ferguson has nothing more to report on the anticipated arrival of Louis Saha from Fulham.

The French forward has stated his intention to join United in no uncertain manner this week, and a deal is expected to be pushed through before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.