The 28-year-old still has two seasons left on his contract at Old Trafford, but with players such as Darren Fletcher coming through the ranks, and Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson also getting first-team action, it would seem unlikely that Butt's chances of regular football in a Manchester United shirt will improve in the forthcoming seasons.

Butt has 30 caps for England under his belt, and performed well in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea. However, if Butt is to add to his tally on appearance for the national team, a move away from Old Trafford is sadly his best option.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he was disappointed to see Butt ask to leave the club he has played for all his life, but understands that a player of such calibre deserves first-team football.

"Nicky Butt has asked to leave. It is a very sad situation." said the United boss.

"With Phil Neville, and the emergence of Darren Fletcher and Kleberson, it has made it difficult to get in the team so he has asked to leave.

"Nicky has given Manchester United great service but he wants to play first-team football." added the Scotsman.

Nicky Butt has enjoyed almost 11 seasons at United, collecting a series of trophy winning medals during that time. He has come through the youth ranks and has held down a place in the United midfield for a number of seasons, with over 300 appearances and 26 goals to his name as a Red Devil.

The news that Butt looks almost certain to depart will be received with great disappointment to many supporters, with the local lad quite popular with the fans. However, these things happen in football and it will be best for Butt's career if he moves on.

With rumours going about that Butt was set to leave Old Trafford since the beginning of the season, a number of clubs are believed to be in the frame to make a bid. Relegation threatened Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are four Premier League clubs all rumoured to be thinking of launching a bid for the defensive-minded midfielder.

It's highly unlikely that Butt would wish to drop into the lower leagues of the Football League, so a move to the Old Firm looks like the most probably option for Butt should he leave the Premiership. Glasgow Celtic look better equipped to sign Butt, considering their strong squad, and the fact that Rangers are currently in a financial mess.

Nobody can deny that Butt has been a fantastic servant to United, and he will undoubtedly be missed. Thanks for a decade Nicky...

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