Matt Tootle always thought Nick would play at the very top

Matt Tootle says he hopes that he would lining up against his old team-mate Nick Powell this evening after hailing him as the ‘best player’ he has ever played with. Powell, 19, is unlikely to feature for a Manchester United XI side this evening after recently suffering with a slight calf injury.

Powell is making significant progress in his quest to be fit and available for the start of the Premier League season and he will be hoping to be involved in the first-team’s friendly fixture in Scandinavia next week. Tonight’s friendly against Crewe may have unfortunately come too soon for the England Under-21 starlet.

Ahead of tonight’s match, Tootle said: “Nick Powell is the best player I’ve ever played with. He was unbelievable for us. He is a top player and has outstanding ability.

“Murph and Westy are exceptional players and are right up there, but Powelly was on another level. I remember when he was first training with the first team and I had to mark him. Here was this kid from the Academy and I just couldn’t get the ball off him.

“I couldn’t get near enough to tackle him and from that moment on I thought this lad is going to be special. “