‘We had to get a guy in from the circus because lads these days never climb trees, don’t know how to fall’

Marcus Rashford’s emergence at Manchester United is a timely reminder that the club’s famous talent production line, now overseen by Nicky Butt, is working. Butt came through the system with the Class of ’92, and as local lad, lifelong fan, former player and now head of United’s academy, he takes great pride in Rashford’s development.

“You couldn’t pick a better player to be at this club, or any big club, than Marcus,” Butt says. “He still parks his car out the front, not round the back with all the first-team players. He comes in, looks you in the eye, talks…