Like Scholes Butt takes anonymity to the point of religious fervour but
Like Scholes, Butt takes anonymity to the point of religious fervour, but his subjugation of Juan Valeron on Tuesday was indisputably the key battle won for United. Butt is that precious figure, the player who knows his limitations and is happy to play within them.”He’s matured now,” added Ferguson “I thought he was our star man the other night. Valeron was superb against us at Old Trafford last time, so if Nicky can do that again he will go a long way to establishing our authority in the tie. He has got the mental parts right this season in that when I do leave him out, he knows he’s going to come back into the side at some point to play a role.
He was an integral part of our midfield with Keane when I rested David Beckham. He’s played a great part in our season and he will play a further part.”No one can minimise the influence of Roy Keane – he’s the biggest influence on the team, there’s no question of that. But we can’t all of a sudden shout up into the stand for help off Roy Keane. We didn’t in Barcelona when we won the Champions’ League and we won’t now. But players emerge because of that, which is why I’m making the point about Nicky Butt.
He could be our most important player now.”There is equally little question about Ferguson’s return to front-line duty. Indeed, so swiftly has he reinstalled that old sense of hunger in the dressing room that the mere thought of finding a successor now seems no more than a distant and rather madcap memory.”It would have been a loss if, next year, I’d not have been able to experience those sorts of nights,” the United manager reflected “There have been some inexplicable results this season. We’ve lost eight games in the League and we’ve not done that for 10 years, we’ve had two5-3 results in London, scored more goals away from home than at Old Trafford It’s been one of those strange seasons But I’m happy with the dressing room. It smells right.” No one in football knows the scent of success more acutely..