Former Manchester United defender David May has been impressed by Chris Smalling's progress this season.
The summer arrival from Fulham will start tonight's Carling Cup quarterfinal against West Ham United.
"He's done really well," May told the Manchester Evening News. "He's been fantastic. He's only 21 and to go from non-league to Manchester United and the England squad is fantastic.
"He's 6ft 3ins, he's got pace and he's getting better on the ball. At United it improves you. It's not a question of whether you can play football, you have to play football.
"It's all about confidence in the people around you. When you've got the quality of players around you like you have at United, you know you can pass it to them.
"If you take Vidic and Ferdinand out then you've got two fantastic centre halves in Jonny Evans and Smalling to fill in.
"They have the potential to be the future. Potential is a big word with footballers, it's whether they step up to the mark."