Heinze signing leaves O’Shea out in the cold at United

ALEX FERGUSON has told John O’Shea he must fight for his future at Manchester United after confirming £6.9 million signing Gabriel Heinze will start the season as first-choice left-back.

O’Shea played most of last season in that position out of necessity, but Ferguson was unconvinced by his performances and plunged into the transfer market to land Argentina defender Heinze from Paris St Germain.

And although O’Shea has travelled on United’s pre-season tour of America despite not having recovered from knee surgery, the 23-year-old faces a season out in the cold at Old Trafford. O’Shea was a revelation in his first full campaign but struggled to repeat those heroics last season, a point acknowledged by his manager, who said: “I’ve had a few chats with the boy, he knows himself.

“He’s still only 23, very young for a defender. He has maybe to look at another position. He’s a naturally right-footed player and could play centre-midfield, centre-back or right-back maybe.

“He’s very versatile, but he’s suffered because of that. But he’s a good type, and with guys of decent character they find their way back. He’s got years ahead of him.”