I remember Paul Warhurst seeing one of the greatest transitions, going from centre-back to goal-scoring striker and actually getting a call-up for England in that position. He also played in midfield too. My vague memories of him playing for us were favourable, but someone else might have a better recollection.

Sorry, this is about Ferguson. Irrespective of where he fits in best he is young enough to develop with all of our senior first-team defenders in the latter part of their careers. If he isn't ready to make an immediate impact we can always loan him out next season. As mattteo said, a lot of centre-backs start out as right-backs when they first join the first-team, with Joe Gomez being another example. He is playing well for WBA in that position, so I'm sure he would at least provide competition and a bit more pace.

Joe Gomez was playing right-back for Charlton before his transfer to Liverpool but Brendan Rogers started him off as a left-back.It was always felt that his future was at centre-half and was once labelled "The next Rio Ferdinand".When he was at the Charlton academy he didn't like heading the ball!

Kevin Phillips used to play right back in his youth teams...you will find hundreds of examples of players who have played competitive football in a different position to that which they may have been used to playing in their youth teams. I’m sure physical development is the biggest factor in deciding a players final best position along with of course developing skills.

The main point I wanted to make in this thread is that a players youth team appearances and the position they may have played have little bearing on the position they may play in competitive games. So it’s silly to say this or that player played centre back when he was 17 so he’s a centre back forever.

Being a versitile footballer is good for the manager as it gives him options.

But at the same time a nightmare for the player as he doesn't know which position to concentrate on the most.

He's out of contract in the summer so they risk losing him for a small compensation payment.

Will this be five? It's gonna be five! It IS five!

Kenny Swain was a striker for Chelsea in the late 70s but was first choice right back for Villa when they won the league in 81 - saw Gary McSheffrey play as striker for Coventry, wud have been an amazing left back or wing back imho cos he was the fittest player I've ever seen - up and down the pitch like a yoyo - our Andy Gray was a striker turned midfield general - so Ferguson like AWB has turned out to be a right back, if he can play on the other side or in the middle so much the better - £4mil seems too good to be true but his contract is up in the summer so £10 mil would be excessive given his pedigree and inexperience.