Now It Begins: The Build-Up to Sunday

Nicky and an old friend. 30Dec2001 photo Andrew Budd

Sir Alex has a laugh...he still loves our boy!!

The Scot had a word of warning for Newcastle's former United midfielder Nicky Butt.

"I will fine him if he passes to a black and white jersey," he said.

"Seriously though Nicky was a great player here and a great character. We miss him in the dressing room.

"It was a good move for him career-wise. I got a text from him the other day and he seems to have settled in well."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/04/11/13/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html

And now we hear from best-mate Giggsy:

Tomorrow's game sees former United midfielder Nicky Butt come up against his old club for the first time since he left Old Trafford in the summer.

Giggs admitted his former team-mate will be relishing the prospect of coming up against his old friends.

"I've spoken to Nicky a few times since he moved to Newcastle and he's really enjoying it there," said Giggs.

"The time was right for him to move on and I know for a fact he doesn't regret his decision at all.

"Playing regular football for a good team is just what he needed and I think everyone can see it's got him back to the level he was at a few years ago with United."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sporttop/tm_objectid=14867511&method=full&siteid=50143&headline=football--get-your-acts-together-name_page.html (I know, it's The Mirror, but Nicky info is hard to find!!)