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Nicky Butt believes Manchester United's famous youth system is pointing in the right direction again.

Just over six months ago the Reds' treble-winning midfielder was appointed as the club's new Head of Academy.

Butt's remit from executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was to oversee a root-and-branch review and overhaul of the department that had developed generations of talent - from Matt Busby's Babes, the core of the 1968 European Cup winning team and Butt's own Class of '92 era that engineered United most famous campaign in the club's history in 1999.

There were claims that the academy was in a mess and ailing, a criticism Butt vehemently denied on his appointment as Brian McClair's successor last February.

It was, however, recognised that the Old Trafford conveyor belt - and facilities - needed an update.

Half a year on and United's academy is deep into its modernisation.

“We are getting there with the revamp. Slowly but surely,” 41-year-old Butt told M.E.N Sport. "We have a lot of new people now in new roles. That will take time to bed in.

“Around the Aon Complex itself we are generating new pitches, better facilities. We are going in the right direction but it takes time to do such a massive job.

“It is not a sea change because the academy at Man United has done the right thing by players here for a long, long time and we have always got players into the first team and been equally successful getting players careers at other clubs.

“It is not a massive big change of direction but it was a case of steadying the ship. We had just veered off course a little bit but we are pointing back in the right direction.

“To be honest with the great success we have had in getting kids to realise their dreams of becoming professional footballers maybe we had pushed a lot of things to one side because we thought we were doing it right.”

The Premier League's Elite Players Performance Plan (EPPP) means clubs are scrutinised every three years.

The Reds passed the last audit to remain an Category One elite academy.

However, Butt says not everything was correct.

“We had the audit and they flagged up a lot of things,” he said. “Even though we were doing a lot of things right by the players in getting them to the correct end product, you have to have the right tick boxes along the way. Maybe we weren't so great in that.

“But we passed with flying colours which is really good for the club. Now we can get back to doing what we do the best and that is developing players.”

To that end United have appointed a whole raft of new youth coaches to lead their youngsters from the clubs age nine group upwards.

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“We have more support staff, more analysts, more psychologists, more sports science guys for all ages. I couldn't tell you how many but I know there isn't as much space in the changing rooms!”

The Reds' scouting network has also under gone a major revamp programme.

“Recruitment of players is a massive juggernaut on its own,” added Butt.

“We were not missing out on countries but in years gone by you maybe had one scout in each country, or two, but the way it is with young players now as soon as a kid does well there are about five or six clubs on him straight away.

“You just need to get yourself in the right position if the new Ronaldo, or the new Marcus Rashford comes along. He could be in Longsight or Buenos Aires or anywhere in the world. You just have to be there ready.

“If you have people around the world who can spot them and find them then you are in the right position. All our worldwide scouts come to Carrington twice a year and it is a big operation.

“I don't think we have ever rested on our laurels. If you don't move on and you stand still then you die. We are kicking on.”