Former Manchester United player and coach Nicky Butt has accused the "powerful people" involved in the European Super League launch of "the worst case of bullying".

United were among 12 clubs who announced on Sunday plans to start a controversial new continental competition to rival the Champions League.

By Tuesday, however, United and each of the other five English sides invited had withdrawn from the tournament amid huge pressure both inside and outside the clubs.

Butt was the head of first-team development in United's academy as recently as last month but did not hold back in his criticism, dismissing any subsequent apologies as "irrelevant".

"I don't think an apology is too great anyway, if I'm honest," the ex-Newcastle United captain told Sky Sports. "I think what happened should never have happened.

"What happened is the worst case of bullying, in my opinion, from powerful people, so whether they apologise or not is irrelevant to me really."

Ed Woodward, United's executive vice-chairman, announced on Tuesday he will depart at the end of 2021, although Stats Perform News understands it was an amicable move unrelated to the Super League.

The project prompted backlash from fans, players, coaches, governing bodies, governments and the media.

Above Woodward, the Glazer family at United and fellow American owners at Liverpool and Arsenal were credited with playing key roles.

"It's a lesson to people who come into the country and come into powerful football clubs and think that they can do whatever they want because they are owners and they are very, very wealthy," Butt said.

"Over the last few hours in this country, it has proved not to be the case."

Butt was speaking for the first time since leaving his role at United and said: "It was just a personal choice to leave the club because I felt like it was my time to go and explore other opportunities.

"Obviously, with what has gone on over the last few days, it looks like there was a reason I left, but that wasn't the reason.

"My reason for leaving was purely to accept new challenges that will hopefully come soon.

"I love the club. Always have, always will."

Manchester United have confirmed Nicky Butt will leave his role as head of first-team development within the club's academy.

Butt has spent the past nine years working in United's academy, in coaching and player development.

A former team-mate of United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Butt won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup during his 12-year stint as a first-team player at Old Trafford.

He left for Newcastle United in 2004 but returned to the Red Devils as part of the coaching staff in 2012, spending time as the United Under-23s interim manager in 2016-17.

During his time in charge of player development, current United stars Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay, Dean Henderson and Axel Tuanzebe have all progressed through the ranks.

"Having come through the academy myself to play almost 400 games for United, it has been an absolute privilege to come back and work with a new generation of talent making that same journey," Butt told the club's official website.

"I'm proud of the role everyone on the staff plays in giving our young footballers the best possible chance of fulfilling their potential, and the results are clear to see in the increased number of homegrown players reaching the first team."

Solskjaer added: "Nicky will always be a legend of United as a six-time Premier League winner and, of course, an integral part of our treble-winning team.

"That pedigree has made him a great source of guidance and inspiration to our academy players since he returned to the club. We are all going to miss him but Nicky knows he will always be welcome back."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.