The 19-year-old Williams, according to Butt, has the potential to be United’s next superstar.

“He’s all energy and high tempo,” said Butt. “A local lad, a heart on his sleeve type of character. As he came through the ranks he wasn’t one considered to be the next superstar, but he has come through because of his character and determination. It will be a long journey for him.

“It’s a bonus that he’s from around here (as is Butt), though I’m not a massive believer that being a Manchester lad makes all the difference. David Beckham, from London, was the biggest Man United fan you could ever meet.”

Laird, 18, is an attacking full-back who can frighten opposing defences, says Butt.

“Ethan Laird is a powerful athlete who has had a lot of injuries in recent years. He needs to get over them and get a good 10, 15 or 20 games under his belt,” said Butt “He’s a very attacking full-back who needs to learn more about the defensive side of his job which is normal for a young lad. When Ethan is on his game he’s pretty much impossible to stop going forward.”

Another rising defender is Bernard, 19, who is having a second chance at United after being released by Chelsea.

“Physically, he was skinny and tall and looked like he needed a lot of work,” said Butt. “He’s quiet, but a great lad who’s coming out of his shell. The youth coaches have done really good work with him.

“Di’Shon is calm, too. Defenders at Man United can’t be emotional. D’Shon passes well, reads the game well and rarely goes to ground. The only thing he needs to learn is when you have a bit of a down, a bad game, you have got to recover quickly. It was a big learning curve for him in Astana after giving the ball away, but there was nothing that he could be blamed for, it was a freak goal.”

Levitt has already made his mark at international level with the Wales squad with coach and United legend Ryan Giggs praising the 19-year-old. And Butt knows why.

“He is one of the best passers that I’ve seen, one of the best passers in the club including the first team. He can do things with a ball that not a lot can,” he said.

“He’s got to get better at projecting himself, being confident and knowing what a good player he is. When he plays in the reserves or youth, his ability to dictate the game is usually enough.

“Yet when he goes into the men’s game you need to do a little bit more. He has to get competent at that to compete in the Premier League. If he can do that then he’ll become one hell of a player.”

One of the first to be promoted to the first team environment was Garner, 18. Butt puts this down to “his mentality, his ability and his maturity”.

Said Butt: “He’s a box-to-box player, a real Man United midfielder. He can tackle, run, pass, score and head the ball. He just needs to grow, get more powerful. He’s not ready to be playing week in week out yet – none of them are – but he’s going in the right direction and he’s a real leader.”

Great things have been predicted for Angel Gomes, 19. “He’s someone who has always made the coaches smile,” said Butt. “He’s a genius with the ball at his feet and he can do things that others can’t – he can score and create. For Angel to get into the first team, he has to become the best at his niche position.

“To be that kind of player in the Premier League you have to be a David Silva or as good as Iniesta was at Barcelona.”

Among the youngest is striker Greenwood, 18, who is earmarked for greatness if he can fulfil his potential.

“Mason Greenwood is only 18 and we shouldn’t forget that,” said Butt. “He can do anything; he can score and win games which is what a Man United striker has to do, but he has to get the other side of the game which is important in professional football.

“Mason is the kind of player who will do nothing for the whole game and then score you two goals. He could be a superstar if he works with the coaches around him to make himself better – or he could be a miss if he doesn’t.”