Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt recalled one training incident involving one former teammate and club legend during their time at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt rose through the ranks of the Manchester United youth academy and broke into the first team under Sir Alex Ferguson during the 1990s.
The two former United and England midfielders were both part of the famed ‘Class of ‘92’ members who made a real name for themselves at Old Trafford.
Scholes is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time and spent his entire club playing career under Sir Alex Ferguson across two different spells.
The 49-year-old United legend achieved incredible success during his time at Old Trafford, including lifting 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
Butt had a long-running career under legendary former manager Ferguson and lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League and three FA Cups with United.
However, the 49-year-old former United midfielder would leave Old Trafford in 2004 and would later play for Newcastle United, Birmingham City and South China.
Scholes and Butt on Man Utd legend
Speaking on the Football’s Greatest podcast, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt opened up about their experience with Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Scholes and Butt revealed that Sir Bobby Charlton would take part in training sessions and would be in awe at what the United legend could still do.
“Even though he was at the time, would have been 62 or something, I reckon, or roughly, early 60s, his touch and stuff was brilliant,” Butt said, as per The Daily Mail.
“And you’re thinking a 60-odd-year-old man could still do that with elite footballers. And it’s like, wow.”
The former United midfielders recalled one incident where former ex-club teammate Brian McClair wiped out England legend Charlton with a “full-on volley.”
“[It was a] full-on volley from five yards, flush on his head, and completely floored Sir Bobby Charlton, who survived the Munich air disaster,” Butt said.
“He survived all this stuff but nearly got killed off by a Brian McClair volley.”
Scholes and Butt talk Charlton incident
Sir Bobby Charlton was an ever-present figure at Old Trafford long after his legendary playing career and was a beloved figure among the players and staff.
The 1966 World Cup winner tragically passed away at the age of 86 in 2023 after an accidental fall at a care home, with the United legend suffering injuries.
Scholes and Butt admitted that Charlton would also see the funny side of the Brian McClair incident if he were sat alongside them for their podcast.
“You can say it now, because you know what, Sir Bobby would like it,” Butt added.
“He’d be laughing with us if he was still here. But no, to have people like Sir Bobby and Mick Hucknall doing warm-ups with you… when you look back on it, it’s a weird dynamic.
“It’s surreal, really, isn’t it? It’s surreal.”
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