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Nicky Butt has named former Man Utd winger Adnan Januzaj as the "biggest disappointment" to have not forged a successful career at Old Trafford.

Januzaj spent four years with the Red Devils from 2013-17, after initially joining the club's academy.

After arriving from Anderlecht as a 16-year-old, Januzaj was soon promoted to the senior side by Sir Alex Ferguson, before scoring twice on his first start for the club.

However despite bright beginnings he failed to make his mark for United, and underwhelmed on loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, before being shipped out permanently.

"For me, the biggest disappointment at this club was Adnan Januzaj," Butt told ESPN . "I don't think I've seen a player, probably since Ryan [Giggs], who was as good as that. He was unbelievable. In my eyes he should have gone on to be a world superstar.

(Image: PA)

"He's still playing professional football [at Real Sociedad in Spain] and he will have a good career. I'm sure he's a millionaire and he won't be going to bed worrying about what bills he's got to pay, but he should have been a superstar."

Butt knows as good as anyone what it takes to get to the top, having graduated from the fabled Class of '92 with the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville.

(Image: PA)

He admitted himself he was not the greatest player, but went on to win numerous major honours for the club, including the much-revered treble of 1999 in which he played a starring role in the Champions League final.

"Talent gets you through the gate here but what will keep you here is character and commitment," Butt said.

Now head of first-team development at United, Butt has seen Scott McTominay and Brandon Williams follow a similar path to become key figures in the United squad.

"With Scott and Brandon, that's just character," he adds. "Character with talent and not talent with character. It's a never-say-die attitude, a will to win. They are both talented footballers, but to get to where they have got is down to their attitude."