Phelan was often deployed at right-back during his first season at Manchester United, but following the arrival of Denis Irwin in 1990 he mostly played on the right or in the centre of midfield.
Phelan sering dimainkan di bek kanan selama musim pertamanya di Manchester United, tetapi setelah kedatangan Denis Irwin pada tahun 1990 ia banyak bermain di kanan atau di pusat lini tengah.