Newcastle-bound Butt jets home from United tour

Nicky Butt is heading for Newcastle after flying home five days into Manchester United’s tour of the United States.

The clubs have agreed a fee for the 29-year-old midfielder – believed to be £2.5m (€3.8m). All that remains is for Butt to agree personal terms and pass a medical.

He was widely expected to remain behind when United set off last week but was surprisingly included. However, he did not feature in the game against Bayern Munich on Sunday.

And a statement released on the club’s official website, www.manutd.com, stated: “Nicky Butt has been released from the tour.”

Although the Nevilles, Gary and Phil, have signed new five-year deals, the class of ’92 is beginning to break up.

A year on, Butt is about to follow David Beckham out of the Old Trafford exit door.

He made his debut at 17 and his winners’ medals include one Champions League, six Premiership titles and two FA Cups.

Butt went on to make 387 appearances, the last of which was as a sub in the FA Cup final victory against Millwall.

A new order is beginning to emerge at United and manager Alex Ferguson says that scenario keeps him motivated.

In a bid to retake the high ground from Arsenal and Chelsea, Ferguson strengthened his squad in the summer with the addition of Alan Smith, Liam Miller and Gabriel Heinze, although he is not now expected to arrive until September.

Ferguson said: “The part that gets me optimistic is there is always change at a club like ours. You see the enthusiasm of Alan Smith and Liam Miller coming in. It is brilliant and tells you a great deal about football that it is never-ending.

“You never have a complete situation where you say you are happy. It just does not work that way. There is always something you feel you have to improve on.

“That is what makes me optimistic that the game is always going to be right and that the club is always going to be right.

“The other great thing about our club is we always try to win. When you are part of a club that always tries to win it is always exciting. Okay - we have moments that are hair-raising and we have put our fans through the emotional tumble-dryer over the years. But at the end of the day it is part of the club and it is what makes it such a great job.”

Ferguson said missing out on the title hurt more than going out of the Champions League to Porto, who scored late on.

He maintains that the absence of Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test proved to be a crucial factor in their domestic campaign.

“The European thing was difficult as it did not go according to plan, “ he said. “We did our best. Our opponents scored a goal with the very last kick of the ball, which was disappointing.

“I don’t think it was such a great disappointment than the league. The league was a disappointment. Losing Rio Ferdinand when we were four points ahead of Arsenal and the injuries that came about – we can do better than that and will do this year.

“But I was pleased at the standard we reached in Europe. Obviously we want to win it again. I don’t think that necessarily means a big step up for us in terms of quality, ability or whatever. Hopefully our day will come again. It is not always about ability, you hope you get luck.

“Maybe some years we haven’t, maybe some years we have had it.”

United have returned to Philadelphia to prepare for the ChampionsWorld Series match against Celtic at Lincoln Financial Field tomorrow.

Ricardo will replace Roy Carroll between the posts while Tim Howard gets his start against AC Milan in New York.

Ferguson said: “Tim has been involved in playing for the United States. He needs a little break at the moment. It is just a matter of spacing out the games for everyone.

“We have a responsibility to all the players’ fitness, not just Howard’s. But we intend to field stronger teams against Celtic and Milan than we did against Bayern.”