Maidstone joint-boss Lloyd Hume paid tribute to former Stones defender Chris Smalling who this week sealed a dream move to Manchester United and said the youngster owed them nothing.

Smalling was set for an Old Trafford medical on Thursday before joining the Premier League champions on a permanent basis for a reported £8m from Fulham in the summer.

The 20-year-old centre-back, pictured, made his second Premier League start on Tuesday in Fulham’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Hume said Smalling’s transition from Ryman League Premier Division to Premier League has been "brilliant" and he tipped the youngster to go on to play for England.

He said: "Chris has always shown potential but few players ever fulfil that potential – Chris will be one of those who does. He has done brilliantly since he left.

"He has the right attitude and character to succeed. He is not the sort to sit there and think ‘I’ve made it.’"

He added: "The most important thing for him to do is to concentrate on keeping a level head and I’m sure he will do that.

"He is one of the nicest, most level-headed kids you could ever hope to meet.

"It is important for him to not feel like he has made it until he has achieved things in his career.

"He will be able to learn that from all the pros at United."

The boyhood Arsenal fan could not have joined a better club to continue his development, according to Hume.

He said: "Alex Ferguson has proven over the years that he brings players through as men, as well as on the pitch as players. There are no bad characters that come through there.

"Chris has definitely got it in him to break into the team there.

"He has broken through into the England under-21s and has not looked out of place in the Premier League.

"He’ll break into the first team over the next couple of years and if you are playing for Manchester United, then you’re going to play for England.

"I hope Chris always keeps his affiliation with Maidstone but he owes this club nothing.

"Everything he has achieved and will go on to achieve will be off his own back.

"He’s going to make a lot of money out of the game but it is his money and he has earned it."