Butt Makes Case for Van de Ven as Martinez Alternative at Old Trafford

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has made a compelling argument for why his old club should move for Tottenham's Micky van de Ven during the summer window.

The Dutch defender stands among several Spurs players likely to depart should Daniel Levy's side drop out of the Premier League this season. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Tottenham's fortunes, van de Ven remains one of the division's most accomplished centre-backs, with reports suggesting he has already earmarked his next destination between Manchester United and Liverpool.

With United preparing for a Champions League campaign and eyeing defensive reinforcements, Butt believes van de Ven represents superior value compared to current starter Lisandro Martinez.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Butt outlined his reasoning: "Micky van de Ven, he's an excellent player. Having a left-footed centre-back is great for the balance of the team. They have Martinez, and it's debatable how good he is, but he brings balance to the team. Martinez has got a left foot, he can pass the ball. Van de Ven is a bit like that but quicker, bigger, more powerful. I'd be looking at him straight away."

The financial argument adds another layer to Butt's pitch. Should Tottenham's worst fears materialise, the club would face pressure to offload high-earners to manage their wage bill. "When they go down there will be teams picking them off their players for cheap as chips," Butt explained. "They'll have to get rid of them because the wages are too high and I can guarantee you most of them won't have relegation clauses in their contract."

On United's managerial hunt, where Michael Carrick competes with Andoni Iraola for the permanent role, Butt cast doubt over the prospect of PSG's Luis Enrique making the switch to Old Trafford.

"He's got vast experience in Champions League level, which is where Man United want to be," Butt said of Enrique. "I don't see him leaving PSG, I just don't see it, and with all due respect to United, where they are at the minute, it's a massive task for someone to go into that football club, put a project together and start rebuilding."

Butt stressed the scale of the undertaking awaiting any incoming manager, noting that injuries and suspensions have already exposed squad depth issues. "We've got a rebuilding process of two or three years," he continued. "It got flagged up against Leeds that when we had one or two injuries and suspensions, straight away the squad's not big enough. Unless [Enrique] really wants a new project, why do you leave Paris where you are very comfortable and it's a great place to live with your family?"