Former defender Gary Pallister has claimed that Harry Maguire has all of the qualities required to become captain of Manchester United.

Recognising that his squad needed a fresh face in the centre of defence, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave the green light for United to spend £80m on Maguire during the summer.

While Ashley Young currently possesses the skipper's armband, Pallister feels that Maguire will be the natural successor to the veteran full-back.

The ex-centre-back is quoted by the Manchester Evening News as saying: "Harry Maguire is a class act and you're looking at a future captain of the club; a leader that the club have lacked.

"I was fortunate to play under so many leaders, we had four or five who were that figure. I had Roy Keane, Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, Peter Schmeichel; there's perhaps not the same number of a lot of them in the current dressing room.

"I think Harry can be that. You can see he's got the leadership qualities. He's one of the best centre halves in the Premier League."

United have conceded just seven goals from eight matches in all competitions this season.