Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has suggested that defender Chris Smalling has the qualities to captain the Red Devils one day.
The 25-year-old centre-back was handed a new four-year deal in April after impressing in the Dutchman's first year in charge last term.
United legend Gary Pallister recently claimed that Smalling could also skipper England shortly, and Van Gaal believes that he is destined for the armband at club level too.
"Wayne Rooney is the captain and so you don't have worry and then [vice-captain] Michael Carrick," he told talkSPORT. "But when they are gone then Chris Smalling can do that, so I push him also in that situation."
Smalling, who has 20 caps for the Three Lions, was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Fulham in 2010.
