Nicky Butt insists he left Manchester United on good terms earlier this season.

Butt left his role as head of first-team development in March, severing a nine-year association with the club since his return after the end of his playing days.

“You put [the progress being made] to one side, it's your own career, when you get to the level I was at, I'd been there as a player for so long, then I went away and came back as a coach and was there again for so long," Butt told the Manchester Evening News.

“I believe in a working environment you don't want to stagnate too much, I felt like I was ready for a new challenge whatever that is going to be."

Butt's departure led to reports of a falling out with new football director John Murtough and various theories about his exit, but the 46-year-old insists he left with his head held high.

“The time had come, I'd been there on the coaching side for nine years, I felt ready for the next challenge in my football life," he said.

"It came at the right time for me to leave, I left with a smile and I was happy with the success I had at that club, with the help I'd given the young players at the club.

“Developing young people and players is part of what I'm passionate about, without people like that in our lives we wouldn't be here now, so I was very happy with what I did at the club and there's a lot of good young players there who will have great careers."