Alex Buttner Leaves Manchester United with Champions League Football Burn

Alex Buttner is on the brink of leaving Manchester United to join Dynamo Moscow—as Manchester Evening News report—but the reason he's given for his departure twists the knife a little.

Buttner, at best a squad player at Old Trafford, claims he's leaving United for Champions League football.

He told Dynamo Moscow's website (Russian, translated in the Daily Mirror):

"

I want to play in the Champions League and win trophies. In Dynamo, I have selected a very strong team. I am confident that we can fight for the championship next season.

"

Manchester United, of course, have been fixtures in the Champions League during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, and winners in 1999 and 2008. But after a desperate season last time around, they miss out on this year's competition.

Buttner's departure will not necessarily be mourned by Red Devils fans—Patrice Evra is still around, and there is expectation that big money will be spent on new players.

But the fact he's in the position to burn the club about the Champions League will sting just a bit.

[Daily Mirror]