Pele once paid the ultimate compliment to an underrated Manchester United academy star, called him the best of his country’s generation

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Manchester United enjoyed unprecedented success under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, with the highest moment the Treble win in 1999.

The dramatic Champions League win against Bayern Munich was a testament to the quality of the squad Sir Alex Ferguson built.

The winning goals came from late substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while there was a major shift required in midfield.

Suspensions to Roy Keane and Paul Scholes saw them banned for the final, leading to United starting a central midfield duo of Nicky Butt and David Beckham, with Ryan Giggs and Jesper Blomqvist on the wings.

Nicky Butt was an underrated and great player

When modern history looks back at Nicky Butt, his role is frequently played down. Giggs, Scholes, and Beckham were seen as the biggest stars to come through the academy, which came with the territory of their incredible attacking talent.

Butt did more of the ‘dirty work’ in midfield, but was every bit as important. He often found himself eclipsed by the preferred ‘perfect’ midfield duo of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. However, in 1999, he seized his moment to shine.

He was praised by Roy Keane back in 2004, who told the Irish Times he regards “Nicky as one of the best midfielders in England. Apart from being a very good player, he is also excellent in the dressing-room, which is so important.”

Butt left Manchester United the same summer to move to Newcastle in pursuit of first team football, feeling the time was right to move on, as Ferguson tried to plot a path forward for the next era of success.

Pele paid Butt the ultimate compliment

By this time, Butt had shone on the world stage, in addition to the Champions League. He was especially pivotal for England at World Cup 2002.

Butt’s performances caught the attention of legendary forward Pele, who told The Telegraph ahead of England’s quarter-final with Brazil, that the Manchester United man had been, in his view, the top player at the tournament.

Pele said: “The player I like is Butt. He’s been the best player up to this point. He’s a tremendous midfielder. He’s a good marker, he’s passionate, he gets forward and he passes well.”

He went onto say he viewed Butt as the leader of the team, adding: “I don’t know which players could represent Pele and Bobby Moore now. Maybe Butt and Rivaldo.”

Much of the nation’s press were taken aback by Pele’s comments, but not Manchester United fans, who knew exactly how important Nicky Butt could be.

Butt paid 387 games for Manchester United and scored 26 goals, in an era surrounded by legends, he more than held his own, making a contribution to the team’s finest hour, and doing his country proud too.

As time has gone on, memories of Butt’s important role have faded, which is unjust. He remains terribly underrated, but can take solace in the fact Pele knew his worth, and told the whole world.