Jack Butland has been forced to delete an old tweet on his social media after his surprise transfer to Man Utd is confirmed.
It seems, he needs to keep his social media in check, after fans spotted a post he wrote, in which he was suggesting he would turn down the chance to sign for the Premier League club.
Back in the summer of 2017 during the goalkeeper’s stint at Stoke City, he was asked by a fan whether he would consider moving to Old Trafford to be an understudy.
Butland replied: “Would never move to be a number 2!”
It’s not just fans in shock, the man himself Jack Butland admitted signing for Manchester United is yet to sink in, following his loan switch from Crystal Palace until the end of the 2022/23 season.
The 29-year-old now joins the likes of David De Gea, Tom Heaton and Nathan Bishop in working between the sticks, Butland has spoken candidly about his lifelong affiliation for the club among other things.
Signing a short-term deal with the club, this is what he said to the Man Utd club website.
Jack, welcome to Manchester United. How excited are you to call yourself a United player?
”I am over the moon. It has been a whirlwind few days but to call yourself a Manchester United player, is pretty awesome and I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet.”
What attracted you to the club at this stage of your career?
”I don’t think that is a difficult question to answer, to be honest. It’s arguably the best club in the world, it’s a club I grew up watching as a kid. I had the shirts, my name and number seven on the back, even though I didn’t end up as a winger. It’s always been a bit of a fairytale thing for me and the opportunity to come here, in the sort of upturn that club has sort of had after a difficult few years, you could say. With the history, the power and the presence the club still has, there is never a bad time to join Manchester United. I think things seem to be progressing in a very pleasing direction. What an opportunity it is to be a part of that.”
When were you aware that the move might be on?
”There had sort of been rumblings all year, they started in the summer. Then, ironically, I broke my hand playing against United in Australia on the pre-season tour which put a bit of a stopper to that. I have really just focused on getting fit again and then here we are. The last sort of week, it’s bubbled up again and the contact was there. The opportunity then became an option and we took it.”
What are your first impressions of Carrington and the set-up here at United?
”What do you expect? The people firstly, there are way too many names to remember all at once. People have been incredible with me already, all of the staff and I have obviously met quite a few of the players already. Everyone is so welcoming, and lovely and positive – that’s sort of the backbone of it. Yes, the facilities are wicked and the training facilities, and the people and the history of the club, which is huge. It’s been a great first few hours and I am excited to see what the rest is going to be like.”
Welcoming the latest addition to our United family 🤝
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 6, 2023
You mentioned you used to have United shirts growing up as a kid, a number seven. Were there any particular players you liked?
”I remember growing up in Bristol at the time, the football teams weren’t exactly reaching the heights of Man United at the time. I remember when I was six years old in 1999, all you could see on the TV was United and what a season that was. That was my first real visions of that fairytale football and United was it. That was sort of where it began for me and the number seven was really [David] Beckham-related, but I don’t really have that free-kick ability like him. I ended up with the gloves on.”
There is a really strong goalkeeping unit here, so how much are you looking forward to working with them, the coaches and the players too like David and Tom?
”I have obviously known Tom [Heaton] for a long time, I know what Tom is about. What a great guy and what a great goalkeeper he is. I am really looking forward to training with David [De Gea], someone who has been at the top of his game for such a long time, and who has also has a lot of history and respect here at the club. It’s a great opportunity for me to train with him but also test myself against him as well. Also just to train alongside the guys and push each other. I spoke to Richard Hartis, the goalkeeper coach, as well and there is a mutual excitement between ourselves to get going and get the goalkeeper gloves on. I am excited to get going and get out there with them.”
Do you know anyone else in the squad? Maybe from England squads or playing against them in the past?
”I know a few of the lads obviously from the England set-up. Marcus [Rashford], Harry [Maguire], Luke [Shaw] to name a few. Jadon [Sancho] obviously, as well. I lived in the area previously so I would sometimes bump into them too. Now to call them team-mates is a pretty cool thing and I am looking forward to training with them.”
You can see more of his answers by clicking HERE.
Welcome to United, @JackButland_One ✍️🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 6, 2023
This is what fans said as Jack Butland is forced to delete an old tweet after his transfer to Man Utd is confirmed…
@Thewizkidbible: Jokes on him 😂
@chemyname__: FIFA 17 Butland needed
@Mivusiwe: We saw all your tweets about Man Utd dude! 🤷🏾 🤷🏾
@jwh1982: He ain’t. He is off to be number 3
@duhhhhhhUTD: who said he’d be no 2 😁
@michael63204824: Welcome to @ManUtd will be interesting to see you pit ya self against @D_DeGea just hope you’re ready for this title push tho @JackButland_One 😀
@atm1988: Glad you changed your mind lad
@danbobsmith: Welcome to the family @JackButland_One You have always been a top keeper, and I hope this move will remind you of how good you are and can be. All the best Jack
@nclfc19882: He’s not lying I suppose hes got a good chance he will be number 3 🤷🏻♂️
@Zassar0: e is not going to a number 2, instead a number 4-5. He didnt lie then 🤣
@NayeemODR: He said he never want to be number 2 💀
@Ozzy_AO: It means he’ll fight to be number 1.
@Ryanwilson251: This was nearly 6 years ago mate calm yourself 😂😂
@Ozzy_AO: It means he’ll fight to be number 1.
@jregan869 (Replying to @JackButland_One: Change your name to jackbutland_two
@cyril__kay: Blud got caught red handed 😂
@Willbroz: Would you rather be a number two at United or Palace?
@SarcasticForest: Massive opportunity…… to sit on my arse
@IanMcgrane6: You know full well your not getting any opportunities 🤦♂️
@LUFCCourtney: Get started at what? Sitting on the bench? Playing a couple cup games? Moved from from no:2 at one club to another 😂 man’s got ambition 🤨
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBalI) January 5, 2023
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