• Premier League

United's youth policy is on the backburner - Butt

Nicky Butt believes Manchester United have put the aim of getting back into the Champions League ahead of their historic commitment to youth under Louis van Gaal.

The former United midfielder, who is now a reserve-team coach at Old Trafford, feels football will never see another Class of '92 because the game - in an era of foreign owners and a lack of patience - has changed too much.

United spent £153 million to bring in British record signing Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Radamel Falcao on-loan while academy graduates Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Tom Laurence were all allowed to leave.

They also hired Van Gaal as manager, who Butt claimed is concentrating on securing a top-four finish ahead of the long-term development of young players.

Speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention, Butt said: "We've got a manager who is a proven winner but it is a short-term thing for him. He has signed a three-year deal and is going to be here for that length of time. The club's priority now is to win things so unfortunately other things take a back step.

"All clubs are changing. Manchester United was one of the last ones standing that had the connection between the youth and first team but we are still trying to do that. Liverpool are doing that really well at the moment.

"We have always believed in getting players through. The Danny Welbeck thing is just something that came at a certain time in the club's history and so people are saying they have forgotten about the club's history."

Butt was one of six players who came through United's academy to establish themselves in the first team and help them win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in 1999.

Butt, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary and Phil Neville were branded the Class of '92 after the year they won the FA Youth Cup.

"There should be another Class of '92 but I don't think it will happen in today's society," Butt added. "A lot of foreign owners want immediate success with superstar managers and will only give them six months to get results.

"Until owners tell managers they are on a journey that may take five, six even nine years then I don't think you will see six or even three players from the same age group coming through."

Giggs is now Van Gaal's assistant manager and Butt believes his former team-mate will try to give younger players a chance.

He added: "Me and Ryan were watching the under-9s, 10s and 11s on Monday night so we do pay massive attention. At the minute the most important thing is getting the club back to winning ways."

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