03/09/2017 09:00, Report by Adam Marshall

Head of Academy Nicky Butt believes Manchester United remain one of the most attractive destinations in world football for any young player.

The Reds have an enviable record of developing youth talent and, crucially, offer a pathway into the first team despite the club's lofty standing at home and in Europe.

With competition for promising footballers becoming increasingly intense, former midfielder Butt is convinced United offer the perfect platform with the facts speaking for themselves.

Indeed, the last transfer window featured big-money transfers for former Academy players Michael Keane (Everton) and Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea), plus moves for Phil Bardsley, Tom Cleverley, Tom Lawrence and Darren Fletcher.

"It is a hard job, especially in today's society, with so many big clubs around the world with a lot of tick-boxes," Butt told MUTV. "Financially, with the training ground and everything that all the clubs can offer these boys now, it's massive.

"We're competing with a lot of clubs these days but I still believe we've got the best pathway. It's a fact we're probably the best or one of the best in Europe at developing our lads for the first team. We can speak to parents honestly and say, look, we always give our lads a chance to play for the club; the pathway is there to play if they're good enough.

"If not, we have X amount of players who play professionally across Europe and make a good living by playing football. The percentage who get to the first team is very small so we've got to offer something else and we offer a really good upbringing and football knowledge. If you look at how many around the Championship are from our Academy, it's great for the coaches."

Six homegrown players made their debuts last term but nobody from the Academy, least of all the youngsters themselves, will be resting on any laurels.

"It's always great seeing a youngster come through the Academy to make their debut," added Butt. "But it's just the start for them. That's the easy part, getting there, the hard part is staying there.

"They're good boys, all the lads who played all work hard. Some of them have come back to the Under-23 squad and have not been sulking and asking: 'Why am I here or not there?' They get on with it and it's obviously important.

"But another important thing as well is realising where you are within your range. They know, deep down, if they should be playing or should be in the squad or back with the Under-23s. We're quite lucky in that sense as we've got some good boys who get on with it and hopefully they will get another chance soon."