Nicky Butt has revealed he was a part of a gathering with former Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward wherein 4 superstar signings were discussed – but just one got here to fruition.
Woodward sought the recommendation of United legends Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs as he was drawing up plans for the summer transfer window in 2014.
Giggs had been appointed as United’s interim manager towards the tip of that season following David Moyes’ sacking and added Butt and Scholes to his coaching staff.
Woodward arranged a gathering with the United greats to debate a brand new midfielder signing and asked them about Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos, Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric.
Butt says the coaches advised Woodward to sign each Pogba and Kroos however the club decided to go ‘all out’ for the previous.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every single day
Get up to seek out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Enroll to our newsletter after which select your team within the link so we will send you football news tailored to you.
Manchester United paid a world-record fee of £89m to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford after his 4 years at Juventus.
Signing Real Madrid legends Kroos and Modric and former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas was also discussed but United prioritised Pogba, although that didn’t secure his services for one more two years.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt said: ‘I remember me, you [Scholes] and Giggs had a chat with Ed Woodward within the office.
‘It was during Giggs’ time in charge, I got called back after training they usually asked us who we must always get, Pogba or Kroos.
‘We said, “get each, we’re Man United, buy each of them”, but they simply got Pogba. They were on the lookout for a brand new manager on the time but in addition targets for the summer.
‘There was a listing of midfielders – Pogba, Kroos, Fabregas and Modric were on there. We were discussing pros and cons and we said they need to get Pogba and Kroos.
‘We said we’re Manchester United and wish to get back to the highest so sign each of them. That’s the way it was left after which they obviously went all out for Pogba.’
Pogba endured a frustrating spell back at Old Trafford and returned to Juventus in 2022 on a free transfer.
Butt and Scholes were each stuffed with praise for Pogba’s attitude while they were on the club and were unsure why he didn’t justify his huge price-tag.
‘I didn’t know him that well during his first spell but when he got here back I met him a number of times and he was a really good lad,’ Butt added.
‘It was a weird time for the club because they were signing all of these superstars. The club made a rod for their very own back because they built this business monster after which didn’t like the very fact he was getting too big.
‘When he got here back they usually set this studio up and there was three days of filming for Pogba coming back… It was a bit much. He was a superstar at Juve and was the highest player but it surely was an excessive amount of.’
Scholes, meanwhile, said: ‘He was a young player once I knew him and a very nice person and a talented player.
‘You may tell he was going to be a correct player because he was a talented kid. He was big and powerful – you didn’t need to go anywhere near him on the pitch.
‘I used to be excited when he got here back but possibly his attitude wasn’t the identical – I don’t know.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Hannah Hampton breaks silence over Mary Earps’ England criticism
MORE: Why Chelsea missed out on transfer deal for ‘vital’ £79m Barcelona star
MORE: Man Utd in talks to sign £44m star in transfer that could possibly be complete next month