‘Can do everything’ – Nicky Butt tips Man Utd to sign England star they sold for £15m

Nicky Butt believes can see Manchester United bringing James Garner back to Old Trafford after his impressive performances at Everton.

Garner came through the United academy and had loans at Watford and Nottingham Forest before leaving the club to join Everton for £15million in 2022.

The versatile midfielder has grown to become a vital figure in David Moyes’s side this season, registering eight goal contributions to help give the Toffees an outside shot of qualifying for Europe.

Garner’s impressive performances at club level also saw him rewarded with a first England call-up last month, with the 25-year-old featuring in both matches against Uruguay and Japan.

United have made improving their midfield a key priority in the summer transfer window after confirmation that Casemiro will leave the club at the end of the season.

And while Butt thinks a return this summer is unlikely, the former Red Devils midfielder insists that he wouldn’t be surprised if Garner ended up back at Old Trafford in the not-so-distant future.

‘I don’t see why he couldn’t be back at United,’ Butt told Paddy Power. ‘He’s performing well, he’s playing for a big club with a big expectation with their crowd.

‘Obviously they’re not expected to go and win the Premier League but they’re expected to win and they’ve got passionate support.

‘So he plays under pressure every week, he knows Man United and yeah, he’s doing amazingly well now.

‘He’s got to do it again next season, it’s a bit soon to go and pay big money for him now, but I’m confident he can go and do it.’

Butt, who helped oversee Garner’s development during his time in charge of United’s academy, added: ‘At the time Jimmy wasn’t at the level to burst into United and play regularly. It wasn’t working so quite rightly he moved on and kick-started his career.

‘Jimmy is a bit like the player I was. Not the most talented but his drive and desire to get to the top is up there with anybody I’ve seen.’

Garner’s performances for England now see him in contention for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man World Cup squad, and Butt is confident that the Everton star will be with the Three Lions in North America this summer

‘Jimmy Garner has done himself a massive, massive favour playing how he played,’ he added. ‘He’s been phenomenal this season. He’s got it all, he can pass through the lines, he can defend, he can tackle, he can sprint.

‘He’s like a poorer man’s version of Gerrard. Not as good as Gerrard, but he’s in that mould, he can do everything as a modern day midfielder.

‘He will definitely be going [to the World Cup] after that, he’s got his ticket on the plane.’

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