John O’Shea is determined to prove he can be the long-term answer to Manchester United’s midfield crisis.

The Republic of Ireland international operated in the Red Devils engine room last season and during the early stages of the current campaign but it was still a major surprise when Alex Ferguson handed him a midfield starting berth for the Carling Cup Final win over Wigan.

O’Shea’s performance at the Millennium Stadium proved enough for the 24-year-old to keep his place for Monday’s Premiership win over the same opponents and he is expected to face Newcastle on Sunday as United look to consolidate second spot.

And, while it is well known that Ferguson will be in the market for midfield reinforcements during the summer, O’Shea has set himself the target of showing his manager he is up to the task too.

"Every time you get a run in the team you have to make people open their eyes by showing them you can do a job," O'Shea told United Review. "You have to take the chance when you get it."

With Alan Smith and Paul Scholes already ruled out for the season and Darren Fletcher consigned to the reserves in midweek, O’Shea seems certain to play a major role in United’s 11-game run to the end of the season.

But the likes of Mahamadou Diarra, Gennaro Gattuso, Jean Makoun and even Blackburn’s Steven Reid are all rumoured to have been targeted by Ferguson ahead of a planned close-season spending spree, so O’Shea knows he will face a more intense battle for his place next season.

"It all comes back to the situation where we have to ensure we have a quality squad," said the Waterford-born star. "We have picked up one or two injuries so we have to make sure we have got that quality back-up, and that's what the manager will be thinking."

PA