Nicky Butt Advocates for Manchester United to Pursue Crysencio Summerville

Nicky Butt recommends Manchester United consider signing Crysencio Summerville, highlighting his potential as a regular starter following a strong World Cup debut.

Nicky Butt, a former midfielder for Manchester United, has suggested that the club should target Crysencio Summerville as part of a more strategic recruitment plan aimed at enhancing squad depth. He expressed admiration for the Netherlands international's explosive playing style and emphasized that with improved consistency, Summerville could become a regular starter.

Butt's comments come as he urges Manchester United to shift from a transfer strategy that solely focuses on high-profile signings and instead prioritize building a more robust squad. He specifically pointed to West Ham winger Summerville as a player worth pursuing, especially after his notable performances on the international stage with the Netherlands.

Summerville's profile has been boosted by his recent scoring in a 2-2 draw against Japan, which has further heightened interest in his potential acquisition. The club is believed to be keeping an eye on the 24-year-old as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

In an exclusive interview with Paddy Power, Butt highlighted Summerville as a fitting candidate for Manchester United's needs. He acknowledged that while Summerville has significant room for improvement, his potential justifies serious consideration for a transfer.

"He's an explosive player, he's good to watch, but I don't think he's consistent enough," Butt remarked. He added, "However, the money shouldn’t be a lot to get him, and United have to build a squad. It can’t be all about going and getting the superstar signings. Summerville was brilliant for the Netherlands in the first game, so he could potentially start every week for Man United. I'm looking at him thinking he’s got to get a lot more consistent to get to the next level. But I'd still definitely look at signing a player like him."

Butt pointed out that one of Manchester United's historical challenges has been a lack of depth beyond the starting lineup. He believes that successful teams need substitutes who can influence games and uphold performance standards during rotations.

"We've got to build the squad, the bench has got to be stronger," Butt continued. "When you play a team and see their starting 11 but then they’ve got another four that can come on and make a difference, that’s massive. When United played Leeds at Old Trafford last season and they got beat, the players on the bench and around the squad weren’t good enough. When they're all fit they’re really good but they still need to build the squad so I'd be going for some players like that as well."

However, as reported by The Athletic, any potential move for Summerville is likely to depend significantly on the future of Marcus Rashford, whose situation is a key consideration in United's summer planning. The decision on whether Summerville joins the team may hinge on how manager Michael Carrick and the club restructure their attacking lineup prior to the closing of the transfer window.