Former Manchester United Hero Reveals Embarrassing Mistake

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Nov 12, 2025 10:14 PM ET

Nicky Butt enjoyed a celebrated career as a member of Manchester United’s famed “Class of ‘92.”

The former midfielder won the Premier League six times, lifted the FA Cup three times and was an influential member of the Manchester United team that completed a historic treble by defeating Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final.

As a reliable defensive midfielder, Butt didn’t make many mistakes on the pitch. He did make an embarrassing mistake off the pitch that earned him the wrath of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Butt showed up to the Manchester United bus with a freshly done cornrow haircut before the funeral of esteemed Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby. Speaking on his The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt recalled the incident alongside former teammate Paul Scholes, ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler and comedian Paddy McGuinness.

“I had a big ginger wig,” Butt recalled. “Terry (the hairdresser) rang me up and gone ‘Right, we can fit you in now, we’re going to do your hair.’ Sir Matt’s funeral was at 3 o’clock. So, I got all my hair done.”

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Ferguson was known to order players immediately to the barber’s for what he perceived as a controversial haircut. The Scottish boss made David Beckham immediately shave off his mohawk years later in 2000.

David Beckham pulled off the cornrow look more successfully while playing for the English national team in 2003.

David Beckham of England looks on during the England training session at ADSL Stadium on May 20, 2003 in Durban, South Africa on June 17, 2003. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)Ben Radford/Getty Images

Ferguson Raged at Butt for His Disastrous Haircut

Butt stepped onto the United team bus to ridicule from teammates. Assistant manager Brian Kidd told him to get off the bus. When Ferguson saw Butt’s haircut, his angry reaction was predictable.

“The gaffer [Ferguson] just looked at me and went, ‘Get home, get that shaved off. Do not come back into training with that on your (expletive) head.’ I’ve literally spent four hours getting all these twirls put in by these two girls. I looked a right (expletive), as well. I looked [like] an absolute idiot. I had to get it all shaved off.”

Butt currently serves as Salford City’s chief executive officer. He made 387 appearances for Manchester United.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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