"He can be the captain of Manchester United. He'll be at United all his life," Sbragia told the Sunday Independent.
"I'd have though that Alex sees him as potential captain material long term. You could see him making a lot of appearances at United - I could see him making more appearances than Giggsy.
"I can never see him leaving Man United. He'll be there until he's 33, 34 years old. He loves the place. He's going to be one of the best players in the league over the next few years.
"The first time I saw him play he was 16. Straightaway he looked a player. The first minute I saw him, you just knew he had something.
"Jonny came in so relaxed, so composed. He had total belief in what he's got, he does not have that fear you sometimes get in young players. I don't think he ever gets nervous.
"At United the foundations are good and they've got money, which helps, but the scouting is good, people who've really got an eye for a player. And Jonny was spotted, the reports came back that he was special."