Former Manchester United academy chief Nicky Butt says Hannibal Mejbri is good enough for the club.

Doubts persist over Mejbri's future at Old Trafford.

However, Butt told the Manchester Evening News: "I still follow all of the players that I worked with because I genuinely think they're good lads, good human beings and Hannibal was a great kid.

"He's such a talented player and I've not seen him train for two years, so I can't comment now, but back then he was immature in the mind, as you would be at that age, so hopefully he's matured on and off the pitch.

"He's going to be an excellent player for Manchester United or wherever he goes over the next few years. It's difficult to get into Man United's first team because the club has the funds to buy anyone they want.

"That makes it a challenge for young players to go cement a position in the squad, but he's an immense talent and there's a few that [youngsters he worked with] that are still there and a few that have left.

"Anthony Elanga is one that comes to mind that is a talented player as well, so I follow them all and over the next 12 months, Hannibal can make an impact. I think he was a very talented player, but pretty much everyone that goes to Man United has to have a certain amount of quality. With Hannibal, it was the way he never stopped, he could give the ball away four times but he wouldn't shrink.

"He's very aggressive and I don't mean fighting, I mean being brave and taking the ball, getting kicked in the ankles and yet keep asking for it. So his attitude was brilliant he could have a shocking game but he'd keep believing in his ability.

"He'd try to make that final pass or produce a shot to get a goal, so his bravery impresses me. And as I've said before, at all the top clubs, whether it be Man United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool, or Arsenal, all the players at their clubs are talented.

"That talent gets you through the gate, to begin with, but what keeps you there is consistency and the ability to keep on doing it when you're having bad times and Hannibal definitely has that."