At the very moment many of Nicky Butt's clubmates are displaying their talents on the Euro 2000 stage, the Manchester United midfielder might be found trawling the shelves of his local video shop.

Home Alone would be an appropriate selection. Yesterday, Butt was excluded from what Kevin Keegan considers to be his top 28 pool, squeezed out by the rejuvenated Nick Barmby.

Yet, Butt's problem lies not so much with the England coach as with the fact that he is considered more chorus-line performer than star attraction by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Were Butt a member of almost any other Premiership squad, it is likely that his inclusion on the team-sheet would be automatic. But life is not so simple at Old Trafford. Ahead of him is, of course, captain Roy Keane.There is also Paul Scholes.

Unless Ferguson were trying to be protective, there is no question that Scholes would always get the nod over his fellow Mancunian. There is also no doubt that Keegan would always have Scholes ahead of Butt. But now, it seems, he prefers Barmby, too.

Such is the camaraderie within Old Trafford that Scholes, the Neville brothers, David Beckham and Andy Cole will have telephoned to console their disappointed, and possibly disenchanted, team-mate.

After all, only a year ago Butt became a Champions League winner and was also part of Keegan's plans. No more, it seems. Perhaps it is because he is not prolific as a midfield goalscorer.

Perhaps Keegan decided to leave him out because he seems short on charisma. Perhaps it is because he is not considered to be a great passer of the ball though, ironically, his reputation as a youngster breaking into the United side was for culture rather than cut-throat tackling.

Now Butt, while awaiting postcards from Belgium and Holland, has the time to decide his future.

Keane has three more years, at least, to run at Old Trafford. Scholes would have to be dragged out feet first. Butt, too, is United through and through.

But while striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he is happy to be part of the Ferguson rotation system, he can at least count on an automatic place in the national squad of Norway.

Butt may appear to be quiet and generally undemonstrative, but he believes himself to be a player of substance who should have an international profile.

However, as long as he remains loyal to United, it is doubtful if he will ever be able to become an England regular.