We don't want Butt

[David Kelly 1245]

We don't want Nicky Aug 2 2005

 

 

 

 

By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle

 

 

 

 

 

Newcastle United's hopes of signing Aussie striker Mark Viduka have receded - because Middlesbrough do not want midfielder Nicky Butt as part of the package.

 

And this will be a blow to United boss Graeme Souness who not only wants to sign Viduka but also Nicolas Anelka and Luis Boa Morte.

 

United would have been prepared to do business with Boro for Viduka in a deal involving Butt, but Steve McClaren is only interested in cash for the striker - and that looks to be the end of the matter.

 

It's no secret that Boro are on the lookout for a couple of midfielders, so the haste in which McClaren turned down the chance to land Butt is rather surprising.

 

After all, McClaren worked with Butt in his time at Manchester United and still works with the 30-year-old midfielder at the England get-togethers.

 

Certainly, McClaren's snub for Butt is an indictment of his current standing in the game.

 

Indeed, our sister paper on Teesside the Middlesbrough Gazette received 30 texts from Boro supporters last night saying they did not want Butt.

 

Now United can only hope that this will all act as a wake-up call for a player who has not fulfilled his potential in a black-and-white shirt and who has always struck me as someone who has left his heart at Old Trafford.

 

United had a board meeting yesterday and it is likely that they will increase their bids for both Anelka and Boa Morte.

 

But they will only go back for Viduka now if they fail to get either of their other two targets.

 

And I am told from Middlesbrough that the minimum asking price for the 29-year-old Viduka is £4m.

 

United are desperately short up front, both in quality and in numbers. And to add to Souness's problems, unless Celestine Babayaro pulls up his socks, the manager will have to start looking for a new left-back.

 

 

First positive signs for a while!

[Shearergol 0]

Where's the "I have it on good authority that Michael Owen will be a Newcastle player by Friday" line?

[Gemmill 44868]

"Indeed, our sister paper on Teesside the Middlesbrough Gazette received 30 texts from Boro supporters last night saying they did not want Butt."

 

STOP PRESS!!

 

30 texts? What a knobjob.

[Jackies the Lad 0]

Now that's not a bad thing, if they don't want NB I guess the Fat Controller will be reluctant to shell out hard cash on Fatduka.

[Rob W 0]

We don't want him either...............................

[Womblemaster 0]

why dont we kidnap steve bruces cat and threaten to toast it unless he buys butt ??

 

 

yeah its desperation time...