O’Shea has also turned out in the right-back role during Gary Neville’s prolonged absence and he even had a spell on the opposite flank against Charlton yesterday as Phil Neville moved into midfield to cover for the injured Nicky Butt.

But it is in the heart of United’s back four where Ferguson sees the 21-year-old’s future.

“Next season Rio and John could be the partnership,” Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.

“John has been fantastic since he came into the side.

“I said the first time I saw him that for a young lad he can read the game. He has two good feet and has now developed physically.”

Ferguson admitted he was surprised at how well developed O’Shea’s frame had become following his summer break.

Although he still has not broken into Mick McCarthy’s Irish side on a regular basis – his only cap coming against Croatia last year – it looks like being only a matter of time before he becomes an international regular.

Certainly, Ferguson feels he has every chance of following in the footsteps of other high-profile members of the Old Trafford production line such as David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

“You see it when young people come back after the summer break. All of a sudden they are men.

“Last season we went to Arsenal and he did really well there but he seemed to have that lack of strength so that when it came to a real tackle he just hadn’t got it.

“When he came back this summer I looked at him and said ‘Bloody hell John, look at the shoulders you have got now’.

“The thighs are there as well, so he has power when he tackles and he uses it.

“Last year he was a big beanpole, but he has grown and developed his strength. He looks like a centre half.”