Left, right or centre ... O'Shea is face of the future

'The centre half position is where I have always wanted to be. I have filled in at full back on both sides and it went well for me. But my own preference would be in the middle. I started 42 games last season and took part in 62. Something similar this season would make me very happy.

'Players say that your second big season is harder because opposition players know more about you. But that is the challenge I would like. A utility role is not bad at a club like this but it would be good to get a centre half spot.'

To United, though, he has become that most precious of commodities, a player who offers his manager a range of options, from full back to central defence and in midfield.

Ferguson has said: 'I couldn't tell you his best position these days. The boy's adapted to anything we've asked him to do and shows great temperament and balance wherever he plays, so I'd keep the door open for him in several positions.'

Rio Ferdinand, who has the luxury of a range of central defensive partners, said: 'It is always a pleasure to play alongside quality players whether it be John, Mikael Silvestre or Wes Brown. They have all been first class.

'I honestly don't have any preference about who plays alongside me.

'John looks a natural wherever he has played. As time goes on he will eventually fit into a position. That will be when the manager thinks the time is right.

'At the moment he's not sure where he will end up playing but he looks very confident as a centre half. I don't see any problem in having two footballing centre halves.

'If you look back to the early United teams that won the title, both Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister were both players who could pass the ball from defence.'

Roy Keane, who played for Ireland in that victory over Italy, has been something of a mentor to O'Shea, 22, and has urged some caution in the levels of expectation

He said: 'John has been getting a lot of praise and I'd like to see that ease back a bit. I've been as guilty of that as anybody, but everyone needs to calm down and let him develop.

'He's got everything. Good feet, a good football brain and he's very level-headed. But he's from Waterford and they're all laid-back down there.

'John's gone beyond potential, but I know he wants to pin down a position. He's been brilliant at full back but he's probably going to be at his best at centre half.'

O'Shea is a great admirer of Keane and, as a lad, idolised Paul McGrath - another player who proved adept at filling twin roles for United and the Republic of Ireland.

'I definitely learned from Paul,' said O'Shea. 'He was so relaxed but he completely controlled games. In many ways, it was like Roy Keane did for Ireland.

'Paul never trained, he just played the games. That's how good he was. I try to be composed and be a big figure on the pitch and impose myself. That's what Paul used to do and I try to copy that.'

So far, he appears to be doing it rather well.