Scott McTominay can have the same influence at Manchester United as England midfielder Jordan Henderson has with bitter rivals Liverpool.
That's according to former United captain Rio Ferdinand, who has urged one-time teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to build his side around the Scot.
McTominay, 24, is a product of the famed United academy and has made 132 appearances in competitions since he was handed a debut by Jose Mourinho against Arsenal in April 2017.
He continues to grow in stature at Old Trafford - underlined by 32 outings in the Premier League this season.
There could be better yet still to come for the Scotland international before the summer is out, too, as he closes in on his first United trophy in their Europa League showpiece with Villarreal.
After that, he will head to the delayed Euro 2020 championship - his nation's first major finals since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Speaking about McTominay on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "I think that McTominay can be and grow into the type of influence that Jordan Henderson has at Liverpool, if the team is built the right way.
"I think he's got the personality, the character, the right attributes.
"He can cover the ground, he takes the ball... he's not a passer like Bruno [Fernandes] or [Paul] Pogba, but he doesn't need to be when you've got players like that in your team."
Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles in 12 years at Old Trafford, added: "He's got no better coach for that position, marshalling the midfield area and giving it to the players in the number ten roles etc, than Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher, who are at the club now.
"Given time he can, but he needs to be put alongside the right personnel and Fred isn't that guy.
"McTominay could have an influence on this team, he's got the right character, the personality. Around the training ground, he drives a lot of the things that go on in terms of the culture of the club, the voice.
"He's very confident, got a good nature about him, works hard, got a good work ethic. They're the kind of traits you want to see. He brings value."
