AS Nicky Butt prepares to relaunch his career in Hong Kong, a documentary looking back on the midfielder’s time in England will be broadcast highlighting the differences between life at Manchester United and Newcastle.

The former England star is set to play for South China FC this weekend, the start of a three-month stint with the club after he quit top-level football last summer.

Steering Newcastle back into the Premier League ended a roller coaster six seasons at St James’ Park, when he worked under an incredible 12 different managers.

What a contrast to his 13 years at Old Trafford, when Sir Alex Ferguson remained a constant presence.

“There was always something going on at Newcastle,”

he said in the MUTV programme, Nicky Butt: Gorton to Greatness.

“Including temporary bosses, I had 12 managers up there in six years.

“It is such a shame because it is a great club, with unbelievable fans and a beautiful stadium.

“I was fortunate enough to play in major semi-finals and European games, but it always seemed like someone new was coming in, with different ideas, who wanted to change everything around.

“It had a major effect on the dressing room and we ended up getting relegated, which has to go down as the lowest point in my career.”

Having helped the Magpies regain their top-flight status, Butt retired despite long-time friends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes urging him not to.

“It is okay for Ryan and Paul, they are still playing every week and enjoying it,”

said Butt. ‘‘Towards the end, it wasn’t like that for me.

‘‘But there are only so many holidays you can go on, only so much time you can spend with your family or doing your hobbies.

􀂄 Nicky Butt: Gorton to Greatness airs this evening, at 9pm, on MUTV.