Manchester United want to kick off the overhaul of their youth system by tying academy boss Nicky Butt to a new contract.

United chief executive Ed Woodward travelled back to Manchester on the team bus following Sunday’s win at Liverpool, and spent Monday at the club’s Carrington training base.

The root-and-branch review of United’s academy is understood to have been one of the issues on the agenda, with Butt yet to sign his contract as head of the new set-up.

Manchester United want Nicky Butt to sign a new deal as head of their academy set-up

United's review means every senior position underneath head of academy Nicky Butt is up for grabs

Every position beneath the former England midfielder is under consideration as United try to make up ground on rivals Manchester City and their highly regarded youth system.

United are keen to bridge the gap between the academy and the first team to ensure a steady flow of youngsters into the senior ranks.

They have looked at recruiting from Holland to tie in more closely with Louis van Gaal and his Dutch back-room team, while Michael Appleton is understood to be one of the names under consideration for a new role with the Under 21s.

However, Appleton, who came through the youth system at Old Trafford and made two first-team appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, is currently in talks over a new long-term contract at Oxford United after leading the League Two club into the promotion places and the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Michael Appleton is thought to be one of the names under consideration for a new role with the Under 21s

There is also uncertainty over the future of Derek Langley as head of youth player recruitment.

Langley held talks with John Alexander, United’s club secretary who has been helping Butt run the academy, on Friday after it was reported that he will leave at the end of the season.

United still believe Langley will stay but he is understood to be frustrated at the lack of progress within the academy.

A recent example has been United’s failure to sign Holland Under 16 captain Juan Familia Castillo, with the Ajax midfielder to join Chelsea instead.

United's head of youth player recruitment Derek Langley could leave this summer