Manchester United have officially confirmed that their former player Nicky Butt has been appointed as the club's new head of academy.

Butt has been in charge of the Under-19s for some time and was mooted as a successor to Brian McClair 12 months ago.

During his 12-year playing career at United, Butt won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League winners' medal.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told the club's official website: "I am delighted that Nicky has accepted the role of head of academy. Nicky has the traditions and heritage of this club in his blood and he is the natural choice to ensure that, in modernising the way the academy operates and shaping the new investment we are making, it retains the values and the focus that it has always had.

"Manchester United's academy is completely focused on producing young players for our first team. As a graduate of its finest team in the modern era, Nicky will bring passion, energy and experience to drive the academy forward, retaining the characteristics that give us a competitive advantage - namely an unmatched track record of player development together with the runway of first-team action. In the last four years, some 15 academy graduates have played for the first team, playing a total of 173 appearances - a record of which the club is very proud."

Butt added: "It's a privilege to take on this role. As someone who learned his trade in the United youth set-up, it's a huge honour now to be given the chance to lead the academy and to instil its values and attitudes to continue to create future generations of Manchester United players.

"It's a big challenge but I am fortunate to be taking over a dedicated, first-class team. Our aim remains the same - to keep supplying the first team with well-coached, rounded players that understand the responsibility of playing for the biggest club in the world."

United's senior team are currently fifth in the Premier League table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City.