Manchester United hero Nicky Butt has spoken about the talent of youngster Mason Greenwood.

The forward is presently banished from the United squad after being arrested for attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour.

While United are still working on deciding how to deal with the Greenwood situation, as the charges against him were dropped, Butt recalled how he emerged as a first team option.

“Jose [Mourinho] was like: 'Get him' but I told him he was still at school and there were laws," he told The Mail.

“I said to Ryan [Giggs] recently that Mason is the only one that I have seen who could have come anywhere near him at 17. Cos he was that good. Ridiculous.

“We played Liverpool away in the academy. We were getting beat 2-0 and he came on. He scored left foot free-kick, right foot volley, a header and then a right foot free-kick. And you are looking at him thinking: 'How can this boy not be the next big thing?'. Big, strong, quick.

“I don't know where the club go on this but as a footballer, yeh...."