Paul Scholes admits being "devastated" when "best mate" left Man Utd

mirror.co.uk:

Paul Scholes has admitted he was "devastated" when "best mate" Nicky Butt left Man Utd in 2004. The pair came through United's youth ranks as part of the fabled 'Class of '92' brigade, along with Neville brothers Gary and Phil, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.

That group formed a key part of United's success from the mid-'90s until Sir Alex Ferguson began to break up the side post-millenium.

Beckham was the first to go, joining Real Madrid in 2003, before Butt moved to Newcastle 12 months later, prior to the departures of Phil Neville to Everton and United captain Roy Keane the following year.

But despite outstaying a number of his close pals and other United stars, it was Butt's exit which hurt Scholes most. "It was all part of football.