Manchester United defender John O'Shea has been handed a starting place in next week's Champions League final.
The Republic of Ireland man has rarely been a regular in the United first XI but has provided excellent defensive cover at left-back and right-back.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "John deserves his place."
Fellow defender Rio Ferdinand must prove his fitness at Hull in Sunday's last league game of the season to earn his starting spot against Barcelona.
United face the Spanish giants on 27 May in Rome and it is a fitting way to end the season for O'Shea, an unused substitute in last year's penalty shoot-out triumph against Chelsea.
Ferguson added: "Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown, he has become a permanent fixture. He is ahead of everyone now.
"To my mind John is one of the unsung heroes like we had when Denis Irwin was here."
The Waterford-born star made his United debut at Aston Villa almost a decade ago and has been used in a variety of positions.
"He can play anywhere for me and has done, all across the back four and in midfield. He has even played in goal," Ferguson said.
"His performances have improved simply because he has been playing consistently. He is an intelligent lad with a great work rate. I am really pleased for him."
Meanwhile, doubts remain over Ferdinand making an appearance in Italy next week.
The 30-year-old has been a rock in central defence, alongside Nemanja Vidic, but he has missed the last three games after suffering a calf injury in training.
"I am hoping he will be fit for Sunday, if not he is doubtful for the final," said Ferguson. "I think he needs a game going into the Champions League final."
Ferdinand last played for United in the Champions League semi-final, second-leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 5 May.
He was doubtful going into that game because of a rib injury and has also been plagued by back and groin problems this season.
Ferguson has warned that if the England defender cannot prove his fitness in the final Premier League game of the season at Hull, he is unlikely to feature in Rome, with Jonny Evans set to step in as a replacement.
Ferguson predicted that Wednesday's final between the Premier League winners and the Spanish league champions could be a Champions League classic.
"The profile of the final is very good and I hope it lives up to that," said Ferguson.
"You see the players Barcelona have got, you see the players Manchester United have got and it suggests a great final.
In terms of our history and placing ourselves in the pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times it would be fantastic for us
Sir Alex Ferguson :
"Finals, and European finals in particular, can be disappointing but I have a feeling it won't be that way next Wednesday."
The final also gives Manchester United a chance to add to the three European trophies they have already won, something Ferguson is desperate to do.
"I have said so many times and I repeat it, we should have won more trophies in Europe," said Ferguson.
"It is a genuine criticism as far as I am concerned. There have been opportunities to do better. Sometimes we have been unlucky and sometimes we have been disappointing.
"It is an opportunity to get to four. Hopefully we take that because in terms of our history and placing ourselves in the pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times it would be fantastic for us."
source: news.bbc.co.uk
The Republic of Ireland man has rarely been a regular in the United first XI but has provided excellent defensive cover at left-back and right-back.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "John deserves his place."
Fellow defender Rio Ferdinand must prove his fitness at Hull in Sunday's last league game of the season to earn his starting spot against Barcelona.
United face the Spanish giants on 27 May in Rome and it is a fitting way to end the season for O'Shea, an unused substitute in last year's penalty shoot-out triumph against Chelsea.
Ferguson added: "Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown, he has become a permanent fixture. He is ahead of everyone now.
"To my mind John is one of the unsung heroes like we had when Denis Irwin was here."
The Waterford-born star made his United debut at Aston Villa almost a decade ago and has been used in a variety of positions.
"He can play anywhere for me and has done, all across the back four and in midfield. He has even played in goal," Ferguson said.
"His performances have improved simply because he has been playing consistently. He is an intelligent lad with a great work rate. I am really pleased for him."
Meanwhile, doubts remain over Ferdinand making an appearance in Italy next week.
The 30-year-old has been a rock in central defence, alongside Nemanja Vidic, but he has missed the last three games after suffering a calf injury in training.
"I am hoping he will be fit for Sunday, if not he is doubtful for the final," said Ferguson. "I think he needs a game going into the Champions League final."
Ferdinand last played for United in the Champions League semi-final, second-leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 5 May.
He was doubtful going into that game because of a rib injury and has also been plagued by back and groin problems this season.
Ferguson has warned that if the England defender cannot prove his fitness in the final Premier League game of the season at Hull, he is unlikely to feature in Rome, with Jonny Evans set to step in as a replacement.
Ferguson predicted that Wednesday's final between the Premier League winners and the Spanish league champions could be a Champions League classic.
"The profile of the final is very good and I hope it lives up to that," said Ferguson.
"You see the players Barcelona have got, you see the players Manchester United have got and it suggests a great final.
In terms of our history and placing ourselves in the pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times it would be fantastic for us
Sir Alex Ferguson :
"Finals, and European finals in particular, can be disappointing but I have a feeling it won't be that way next Wednesday."
The final also gives Manchester United a chance to add to the three European trophies they have already won, something Ferguson is desperate to do.
"I have said so many times and I repeat it, we should have won more trophies in Europe," said Ferguson.
"It is a genuine criticism as far as I am concerned. There have been opportunities to do better. Sometimes we have been unlucky and sometimes we have been disappointing.
"It is an opportunity to get to four. Hopefully we take that because in terms of our history and placing ourselves in the pantheon of teams who have won it four or more times it would be fantastic for us."
source: news.bbc.co.uk
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