FORMER Manchester United defender Alexander Buttner has claimed he was a success in the Premier League – because he won more titles than Steven Gerrard.
The Dutchman made 28 appearances in two seasons at Old Traffford before moving to Dynamo Moscow in 2014.
But despite never holding down a first-team place under Sir Alex Ferguson or David Moyes, the left-back says the fact he won the league – and Gerrard did not – proves he triumphed in England.
Buttner told De Telegraaf: “I was on the pitch for United 30 times. Who can say that he has been a champion in England?
“I can. Even Steven Gerrard did not succeed.
“I’ve become a much better football player, I played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Bayern Munich and Arjen Robben.”
Buttner was signed by Ferguson back in 2012 on a five-year deal and was named man of the match during a 4-0 win against Wigan.
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The former Vitesse star made just five appearances for United in his debut season but was given a winner’s medal after the Premier League relaxed their eligibility rules.
Ferguson said: “[Alexander] Buttner’s been great because he’s travelled to every away game with us, he’s been involved in every single training session, he’s played three times and been a substitute another ten times, something like that.
“So I think that’s a contribution.”
Gerrard failed to win the Premier League, but he did win the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the FA Cup twice and the League Cup on three occasions in 17 years at Anfield.
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