Nicky Butt has admitted it is getting increasingly hard for youngsters to break into Manchester United’s first team picture. Butt is head of United’s academy Nicky, and came through the Red Devils’ youth system as part of their famous Class of ’92 – going on to make 270 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.

United have always been known for giving youth a chance, and priding themselves on their top of the range academy. However, Butt has noticed it is becoming much harder for youth players to rise up into the first team, blaming modern-day football.

But the academy head says he hopes youngsters can use Marcus Rashford as motivation to push them harder into the first team picture.

He told Sky Sports News: “We know it is going to be very difficult to get players, even more so now in modern-day football, into the first team, but that’s my job. That’s what all our jobs are in the academy.”

“I have got massive support staff that are unbelievably talented at what they are doing, noting and recognising when young players need to step up or even to step down a little bit. I am very encouraged we’ve got some really good young players coming up.”

“Marcus has always been a shining example, a shining beacon for our academy boys,” Butt added.

“He was there from seven, eight, nine and went right through the system to where he is now.”

“He is a superstar in Manchester United’s first team and he’s playing for England, but it’s not always like that. Everyone’s journey is not the same so we put Marcus on a pedestal around the academy but they can’t all be like that, it’s not all about becoming a superstar.”

“We want to give people dreams and help them get to their dreams. That isn’t always going to be the case if you don’t get your perfect dream, but what they can do is to get the next thing which could be playing in the Championship or League One and doing something they love.”

“If you get to the top and you are managing to support your family, that’s the ultimate goal.”