Manchester United have made Nicky Butt their Head of First Team Development as part of a revamp of the club's academy.
Butt, who was United's academy boss, will now report directly to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A club statement confirmed: “Nicky will work closely with the manager and the first team coaching staff to continue the strong bond between academy and first team.”
Nick Cox will succeed Butt as the head of United's academy, working in tandem with the former England midfielder and head of football development John Murtagh
Butt said: “Manchester United is in my DNA and this is a very proud moment for me as I take on this new role.
“I am passionate about nurturing, developing and coaching the talent we have here to become top players at this club.
"Under Ole's leadership, our vision will ensure that we continue to provide the right environment for our young players to thrive in.”
United have named a youth-team graduate in every first-team squad since 1937.
But they have been looking to restructure their youth development in a bid to keep that pathway to the first team open.
Chief executive Ed Woodward said: “These changes will further enhance the excellent work and results we have seen over many decades in our academy system and continue our proud tradition s of producing world-class players capable of playing and excelling in the first team.”
