Everton boss Roberto Martinez took Leighton Baines with him to Old Trafford this week to see Bayern Munich skipper Philipp Lahm.
Martinez and Baines were in the crowd at Old Trafford on Tuesday night for Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich and the Everton manager's specific intention was for the 28-year-old to see Lahm in action.
"It was a very good experience," said Martinez. "When you are a player, you are watching the game in a different manner so it was good for Leighton to watch a player I feel he can be as good as or even better. That was the reason behind taking him.
"Leighton doesn't give the ball away. He's got a very low centre of gravity and technically he's as good as it gets. It's a role I know Leighton can fulfil.
"I'm not saying he is ready for it now, I want him to concentrate on being a left back, but overall I think it's important for him to have it in his mind.
"He has risen to so many challenges. He goes away with England and becomes exceptional. I'm convinced he can step up to a new challenge.
"He can be more expansive in central midfield than in his left back role. That's why I wanted him to see (Lahm) first-hand."
