The Manchester United defensive duo have impressed in the academy

Nicky Butt has backed Axel Tuanzebe and RoShaun Williams to move up

Nicky Butt has tipped Manchester United defensive duo Axel Tuanzebe and RoShaun Williams to step up to play for the senior team.

The teenagers have impressed in the academy and have been backed to become the club's centre-back pairing in the Barclays Premier League by their Under 19 manager.

Tuanzebe and Willams, both 17, have not gone unnoticed by Louis van Gaal and Butt has told the first-team manager that they are ready to play at the top level.

Manchester United centre back Axel Tuanzebe pictured during their draw with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday

RoShaun Williams has also been backed to step up to play for Manchester United's senior team

'The lads at the back were brilliant,' Butt said following goalless draw with CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Youth League on Tuesday.

'The way we performed meant we played a lot of the time one v one as well.

'It's a really good thing and something you've got to do if you play for Manchester United at the top level, defend one v one.

'I thought they did that and I was really confident with them doing that. They proved to me they're more than capable of playing at a high level.'

Though United failed to score, they escaped defeat after a solid showing by Tuanzebe and Williams.

The draw meant United can still qualify for the knockout stage of the competition for the first time as they sit second in Group B - three points behind CSKA.

There are only two games remaining with United still to face PSV Eindhoven at home and Wolfsburg away.

Nicky Butt has tipped Manchester United duo Tuanzebe and Williams to play for the first team in the future