Watch Nicky Butt, the head of Manchester United's academy, explain how difficult it is for youngsters to break into the first team Watch Nicky Butt, the head of Manchester United's academy, explain how difficult it is for youngsters to break into the first team

The head of Manchester United's academy Nicky Butt says it is getting harder for the club's youngsters to break into the first team.

Butt came through United's youth system as part of the Class of '92 and went on to make 270 appearances for the club but he can see that it is getting tougher for today's teenagers to follow a similar path.

He told Sky Sports News: "We know it is going to be very difficult to get players, even more so now in modern-day football, into the first team, but that's my job. That's what all our jobs are in the academy.

"I have got massive support staff that are unbelievably talented at what they are doing, noting and recognising when young players need to step up or even to step down a little bit. I am very encouraged we've got some really good young players coming up."

Butt is keen to point to Marcus Rashford as an example of what can be achieved by a talented product of the academy.

Butt says Marcus Rashford is a 'shining example' of what can be achieved by an academy player

"Marcus has always been a shining example, a shining beacon for our academy boys," Butt added.

"He was there from seven, eight, nine and went right through the system to where he is now.

"He is a superstar in Manchester United's first team and he's playing for England, but it's not always like that. Everyone's journey is not the same so we put Marcus on a pedestal around the academy but they can't all be like that, it's not all about becoming a superstar.

"We want to give people dreams and help them get to their dreams. That isn't always going to be the case if you don't get your perfect dream, but what they can do is to get the next thing which could be playing in the Championship or League One and doing something they love.

"If you get to the top and you are managing to support your family, that's the ultimate goal."

Butt was speaking at the official launch of University Academy 92, a joint venture to offer students from state school backgrounds a higher education.