The Athletic's Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds United defender Ben White has been the best centre-back in the Championship this season, which has been well received by many fans of the club.

The 22-year-old joined on loan from Brighton in the summer and was given the difficult task of replacing the departing Pontus Jansson.

White has stepped up brilliant so far, starting every single game for the Whites, helping them to concede the fewest goals and keep the most clean sheets in the division, and winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for August–his first month in the league.

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In a piece for The Athletic, Hay revealed that White had early concerns he wasn't up to the challenge at Elland Road following the first week of training but suggested that he has been arguably the best centre-back in the Championship so far.

The report also claims that Liverpool are genuinely interested in the player and that Manchester United have been scouting him this season.

You'd imagine it will be very difficult for the Whites to secure a permanent deal for White in the summer but he has already become a firm fan favourite–as evidenced by the many Leeds fans taking to Twitter to echo Hay's praise of the 22-year-old.

Read the reaction of Whites supporters here: