Monday, 7th January, 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is happy with the progress Dutch starlet Alexander Buttner has made at the club since joining in the summer.
There was some surprise in Holland when Ferguson swooped to snap up Buttner from Vitesse, but the Scottish tactician sees the Dutchman as Patrice Evra’s eventual replacement at left-back.
Buttner has been handed regular minutes on the pitch and once again played for Manchester United on Saturday, when the Red Devils drew 2-2 away against West Ham in the FA Cup.
And Ferguson is more than happy with his progress so far.
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"He is developing well so far", he told Omroep Gelderland.
"We chose him for the future, to follow Patrice Evra and what we wanted was an attack-minded left-back. We see this in him.
"He trains very well, has got a house and is well settled."
Ferguson also pointed out the presence of fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie has helped Buttner’s adaptation period.
"You come to another culture in another country at a big club, that’s a big change.
"It helps if someone like Robin has extensive experience in England. Of course they talk a lot with each other, that’s understandable."
Buttner is under contract at Old Trafford until 2017, in a further sign of just how highly Ferguson rates the 23-year-old.
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