Manchester United have announced a restructure of their academy system, with Nicky Butt earning a significant promotion.

United confirmed on Monday that the 44-year-old had been promoted to the new position of head of first-team development, with Nick Cox elevated to fill his previous role as head of academy.

As part of his new job, Butt will now report directly to former team-mate and current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

It is said that he will "work closely with the manager and the first team coaching staff to create a seamless journey for young players stepping up to the next level".

Butt said: "Manchester United is in my DNA and this is a very proud moment for me as I take on this new role.

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Inter Milan | 20/07/2019 41 show all In Pictures | Man Utd vs Inter Milan | 20/07/2019 1/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 2/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 3/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 4/41 AFP/Getty Images 5/41 AFP/Getty Images 6/41 AFP/Getty Images 7/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 8/41 Getty Images 9/41 EPA 10/41 AFP/Getty Images 11/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 12/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 13/41 AFP/Getty Images 14/41 AFP/Getty Images 15/41 REUTERS 16/41 AFP/Getty Images 17/41 AFP/Getty Images 18/41 AFP/Getty Images 19/41 AFP/Getty Images 20/41 AFP/Getty Images 21/41 Getty Images 22/41 Getty Images 23/41 Getty Images 24/41 Getty Images 25/41 Getty Images 26/41 Getty Images 27/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 28/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 29/41 AFP/Getty Images 30/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 31/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 32/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 33/41 Getty Images 34/41 Getty Images 35/41 Getty Images 36/41 Getty Images 37/41 Getty Images 38/41 Getty Images 39/41 Getty Images 40/41 Getty Images 41/41 Getty Images 1/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 2/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 3/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 4/41 AFP/Getty Images 5/41 AFP/Getty Images 6/41 AFP/Getty Images 7/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 8/41 Getty Images 9/41 EPA 10/41 AFP/Getty Images 11/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 12/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 13/41 AFP/Getty Images 14/41 AFP/Getty Images 15/41 REUTERS 16/41 AFP/Getty Images 17/41 AFP/Getty Images 18/41 AFP/Getty Images 19/41 AFP/Getty Images 20/41 AFP/Getty Images 21/41 Getty Images 22/41 Getty Images 23/41 Getty Images 24/41 Getty Images 25/41 Getty Images 26/41 Getty Images 27/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 28/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 29/41 AFP/Getty Images 30/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 31/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 32/41 Manchester United via Getty Imag 33/41 Getty Images 34/41 Getty Images 35/41 Getty Images 36/41 Getty Images 37/41 Getty Images 38/41 Getty Images 39/41 Getty Images 40/41 Getty Images 41/41 Getty Images

"I am passionate about nurturing, developing and coaching the talent we have here to become top players at this club.

"Under Ole’s leadership, our vision will ensure that we continue to provide the right environment for our young players to thrive in.”

Class of '92 member and former England midfielder Butt made 387 senior appearances for Manchester United over a 12-year stint lasting until 2004, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one Champions League crown.

He returned to the club in 2012, working as under-19 and reserves coach before being appointed as head of academy in 2016.