Jack Butland gives honest reason why he couldn't stay at Manchester United

Jack Butland couldn't stay at Manchester United because he wanted a better squad role than being a reserve goalkeeper.

Martin Dubravka was signed on loan last summer to give David de Gea competition, but he failed to make an impact during his time at the club and he was recalled in January, leading to the arrival of Butland on a temporary deal.

Butland joined on a short-term contract until the end of the campaign but he failed to make a single appearance for United.

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Rangers signed the 30-year-old on a free transfer following the expiry of his Crystal Palace deal. There was talk of Butland signing permanently at Old Trafford, but the stopper has now admitted that was never considered.

Butland wanted regular starts at this stage of his career and that meant another season as a reserve goalkeeper didn't appeal.

"As much as I enjoyed Palace and as good as United was, I missed playing and that's important to me," Butland told The Scotsman. "All right, 'Could you be at United?' Well, yes, but what would the rest of my career look like?

"That was important to me. I wanted 30 onwards to be something l like back on as a successful period and not one that drifted away. There's a long way to go [in my career]. A lot happened early.

"If I went through my career without any setbacks and without any moments it would have been a miracle. These things happen. One or two of them happened at a good time, not in my prime if you like."

In a statement after his exit from United, Butland wrote: “It was short and sweet, but an unreal experience being with the team I’ve supported since a young