Manchester United's Paddy McNair is better in midfield than defence, according to Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.
McNair, 20, played in midfield during Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Wales on Thursday but has only been used in defence for his club by Louis van Gaal -- a decision that O'Neill does not agree with.
"I think that's his best position [in midfield], where we played him," he told reporters. "I was really pleased with him. He was a physical presence but he showed his quality on the ball.
"He just needs to get used to playing at this level. I enjoyed him in there in that midfield with [Steven] Davis and [Oliver] Norwood."
Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini are all fighting for central midfield berths for United as Bastian Schweinsteiger could be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.