Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he had no clue former England team-mate Nicky Butt was the man in charge of Manchester United’s U-19 team until the pair was drawn together in the UEFA Youth League.
The old-rivals came face to face at Prenton Park on Wednesday afternoon with the Reds U19 beating Manchester United U19 2-0. The boys will play Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the prestigious competition.
The game was filled with a lot of thrills and spills as it has been since ages. While the young guns were fighting for a place in the last eight of the UEFA Youth League, Butt and Gerrard clashed from their respective dug-outs.
But Gerrard has admitted he didn’t know Butt is at the helm of United’s academy until the draw was made in December.
“I believe so. I wasn’t aware of that until the actual draw,” Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I know he’s their academy manager but he has taken this team. He’s a good lad is Nicky and I enjoyed being in the England squad around him.
“He was a good player and it’s great to see that he has stayed in the game and I’m sure he has a lot to offer. It will be a good battle from the dugouts but once the team is picked, it’s up to them to go and produce the goods.
The result will be a major lift for our U19 stars. Beating Manchester United is always special and our young blood have certainly done us proud.
I am certain that Gerrard’s team will go out there and beat Manchester City in the quarterfinal and eventually go on to win the competition. For all the talk about English clubs not producing enough homegrown talent, we have always been an exception and it looks like the trend will continue for the foreseeable future, especially with the legendary Steven Gerrard in charge of training the youngsters.
