Butt attracts interest

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

Ferguson reluctantly accepted Butt’s transfer request earlier 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 £5m-rated 28-year-old who has started just one Barclaycard Premiership game since the beginning of November.

Ferguson has always claimed he receives more telephone calls about Butt’s availability than any other player on his staff and he revealed the phone has been ringing regularly this week now clubs know the Gorton-born player is genuinely available.

“There has been plenty of interest,” said the United boss.

“It is not my job to say which clubs have phoned us. Some like to give the information out; others don’t. But there have been quite a few inquiries.”

Ferguson does not believe Butt’s departure is inevitable and, like captain Roy Keane, feels the combative Mancunian should wait until the right offer comes along.

However, after receiving such loyal and unstinting service from Butt down the years and with his place at this summer’s European Championships at risk, the manager does understand the player’s predicament.

“Nicky Butt has been a fantastic servant to me and the club,” said Ferguson.

“He was the first one to break into the senior squad from the famous youth team, and this is probably not something he really wanted to do.

“He is frustrated because he is not getting a regular game. But it is a situation we can’t do anything about, Phil Neville has come into the side this season and been excellent.”

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.

Publicly, Fulham are refusing to buckle – and Ferguson is not about to speculate on the chances of luring the 25-year-old north.

“I have been amused at some of the stuff I read,” he said.

“We have done everything by the book.

“We wrote a letter, and they responded. That is the way the matter is at the moment. There is nothing more to say.”

Any transfer activity at the start of next week appears unlikely, because Ferguson will take his squad off to Dubai for a five-day break immediately after tomorrow’s trip to basement-dwellers Wolves.

Ryan Giggs is the only major doubt, although even he could be available after showing signs of recovery from the back-muscle problem which forced him off at half-time in last weekend’s goalless draw with Newcastle.

Darren Fletcher is back from suspension, while 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo trained impressively this week after being given a short break by his manager - giving the United boss a few options on his side’s first league trip to Molineux for two decades.

While Ferguson has never previously headed to the Black Country on competitive duty, Wolves is one of his son Darren’s former clubs – and he knows the club well.

United’s narrow advantage over Arsenal at the top of the table means there will be no gifts being handed out by the visitors, but their manager sincerely hopes tomorrow’s opposition can stave off the dreaded drop.

“Wolves have come through a lot of turbulent times in the last 20 years,” he said.

“I have been down there a few times when the older stands were almost falling down.

“Jack Hayward rebuilt them, and I genuinely hope they manage to stay up.”

Aside from the desire to pick up maximum points, there will also be a chance for reunions.

Ferguson’s relationship with Paul Ince is not what it once was. But there will always be a welcome in his office for Denis Irwin, who served Old Trafford with distinction for more than a decade – winning seven league titles in the process.

The 38-year-old full-back has declared his intention to retire at the end of the season, and Ferguson has no hesitation in holding the Irishman up as an example for every young professional to follow.

“He is the perfect model,” he said.

“Throughout his career, he has always done the right things.

“His training was always of a high standard, and that gave him the fitness to carry on to the age he has. He has had a great career.”