Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City all wanted me – but I joined Newcastle instead
Nicky Butt was a key figure in Manchester United's Class of '92 and won 15 major honours at Old Trafford, but he could've had a very different career path had he not then joined Newcastle United
by Aaron Morris, Ben Crawford · ChronicleLiveNicky Butt has opened up on his reasons for making his way to Newcastle United after leaving Manchester United.
Despite not always being in the spotlight like some of his 'Class of '92' team-mates, Butt was an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad that dominated English football in the 1990s and early 2000s, amassing six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, four Community Shields, an Intercontinental Cup and a Champions League.
Butt, who left Old Trafford just a year following David Beckham's high-profile move to Real Madrid, eventually signed for Newcastle United in 2004 and later returned to the Red Devils to work with the academy. However, things could have been very different if he had accepted offers from one of Man United's fierce rivals.
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Reflecting on his career choices, Butt told former team-mate Paul Scholes on their Football's Greatest podcast: "I remember when I was leaving (Man) United – when I knew it was time to leave – I got asked to join [Man] City off Stuart Pearce, he rang me up.
"I said, 'I'll have a think about it', but I knew 'no, it can't happen'. I just wanted to get him off the phone, to be fair. There was no way I was going because of my dynamic in my house. My family life would have been... I'm alright. I'm out the way, but my brother and all that... It would have been a nightmare. I would never have been able to play for City."
Butt also candidly shared his unwavering commitment to Newcastle, recounting how he turned down Liverpool and Arsenal because of the Premier League rivalry with Manchester United, reports the Express. He said: "I got asked to speak to Liverpool – never gonna happen.
"Arsenal – never gonna happen. I knew my mind was set on Newcastle. So for me, the real rivalry thing for (Man) United would have been impossible. Liverpool was impossible, yeah. No matter what they were gonna give you."
Reflecting on his eventful six years at Newcastle – which included a loan to Birmingham City as well as a stint in China before hanging up his boots – Butt also disclosed that Tottenham had shown interest in him. However, his affection for Newcastle was too strong, as he explained: "Tottenham asked me but I just wasn't interested.
"I was interested in joining Newcastle because I'd played there for England U19s and loved the atmosphere. It wasn't too far from Manchester, there was no real hatred between the fans, Sir Bobby (Robson) was a god and the first team was very good."
Despite a rocky start due to an undisclosed injury, Butt eventually became captain of Newcastle – a role he held for two years, and looks back on his time there with pride. He explained: "I had a tough start. I was injured when I first signed I just didn't tell the club that. But I was Newcastle's captain for two years. It wasn't too bad."
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