“Ideally, I prefer to play at left-back but I’ll play wherever the manager wants.”

Zeki Fryers is still coming to terms with being thrust into the limelight.

Hailed as one for the future by Rio Ferdinand last season, the young defender was plucked from the reserves to make his first team debut this season.

And having appeared against Leeds and Aldershot in the Carling Cup went on to appear in the Champions league too.

Whilst other youngsters may have had a bigger buzz about them, Fryers has took his opportunity when it arose and has set tongues wagging with his mature performances.

He had an unlucky time with injuries but he has overcome that to place himself in Sir Alex’s thoughts, regardless of what position he is selected.

Speaking to United Review, Fryers said

“I must admit I didn’t think the first-team games would come as soon as they did.

“At the start of the season, a lot of the young guys start talking about loans and most people want to land themselves a loan deal to get more experience.

“Nothing worked out on that front for me, so I just concentrated on training well and getting my fitness levels up with the Reserves. Then the Carling Cup game at Leeds came along and it was an amazing experience.

“And to come on at Old Trafford in a Champions League game was out of this world. It all felt a bit unreal. That’s the most excited I’ve ever been and I just want to keep experiencing things like that.”

“I was a bit surprised the opportunity came along so soon, especially because I’ve had a couple of injuries in recent years,

“Last season was a bit of a downer: I had a bad injury and needed a knee operation, but this term I’ve managed to stay fit.

“Ideally, I prefer to play at left-back but I’ll play wherever the manager wants. I’m not going to say ‘no’ to him!”