Inspirational Wesley Sneijder is mentally tough enough to show he is worth £35m at Manchester United – Nicky Butt

Nicky Butt – Newcastle

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By Rob Stewart

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt is certain that Wesley Sneijder has what it takes to be a “massive success” at Old Trafford as his old club close in on the Inter player.

With the Premier League champions intensifying their efforts to lure the Dutchman from Italy in a £35 million deal, Butt enthusiastically endorsed United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s quest to sign the midfield playmaker in what would be a club-record deal.

“They are prepared to spend a lot of money to get Sneijder but it will be worth it because he really is a top-drawer player and he will make a huge impact at Old Trafford if the transfer comes off,” Butt told Goal.com.

“He is clearly first-class and I am sure that the experience he has gained at Real Madrid and Inter Milan will stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead at United because it’s a tough place to ply your trade.”

Butt, who won the Premier League six times, the FA Cup on three occasions and the Champions League at Old Trafford, insists Sneijder will have no problem dealing with the pressure of expectation at the club.

“Lots of players fail to make the grade because it is such a demanding stage. There is no hiding place when you are in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford and for most teams, at home and in Europe, playing United is like a Cup final and rightly or wrongly they raise their game by five or ten per cent because the club is synonymous with success.

“But Sneijder will be used to that sort of thing and the extra pressure because of what he has sampled in Spain and Italy. He must be mentally tough to have done well there and his experience will be vital.  

“I haven’t come up against him directly but I have seen enough to know that he is a clever, attack-minded player who is not afraid to work his socks off for the team and that will go down well with the fans.

“For me, though, what is most important is that likes to take responsibility when he is playing even when the chips are down and that is vital when it comes to wearing a United shirt. He will be able to handle the pressure and that is the sign of a great player and I am sure he will be a massive success.”

Dutch master | Sneijder is being tipped to prosper at Old Trafford by Butt

The 36-year-old Butt spent 12 trophy-laden years at United after coming through the ranks as one of ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ alongside the likes of Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes.

The pinnacle of his career saw him help United win the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich and believes that Sneijder could enable Sir Alex to guide his old club back to the summit of European football after finishing as runners-up last season following defeat by Barcelona at Wembley.

“United were second best at Wembley to an exceptional Barcelona team but Sneijder could make all the difference next season,” the former England international added.

“Sneijder has been there, done it and got the T-shirt with Inter Milan because he helped them win Serie A and then the Champions League, and he could be a massive piece in the jigsaw this time around if he comes to Old Trafford although there are a few missing pieces with Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar now retired.

“A central midfielder of his calibre could have a huge influence but he will have a lot to live up to because many United fans will expect him to fill the void left by Scholesy. That is a tough ask. But I am sure he won’t disappoint if he keeps on going the way he has been.

“To me Sneijder has been the driving force for Holland and Inter Milan over the last few years. He’s the sort of player who is happy to stand up and be counted on the biggest stages and that is what he will need to do at Old Trafford.

“His presence will also inspire the other midfielders at United and there are lot of good young players coming through so he will have to stay on his toes but I am sure he will thrive on the challenge.”

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