Is saying, "So-and-so has no good in him," or similar, considered backbiting?

Question:
If a person, for example, says to another, "I found no good in this so-and-so," or something like that, because he was of no use to him in a need, for instance, is this considered backbiting?

Answer:
If the need called for it and he referred him to the person, saying, "Go to him, he will give you such and such," and he went to him... meaning he benefited from it, or his affairs required him to deal with him, or he recommended him to him, then it is permissible. Otherwise, without a need, it is not permissible.
Q: Meaning his intention is to backbite him?
The Shaykh: No, it is not permissible as long as the matter is hidden. No, but if the matter is apparent, there is no harm. The rule is: the hidden is not mentioned except when there is a need.