John O'Shea Career Stats, Facts & Profile
In 1998 the big Irishman signed professional forms with the club and made his debut a year later on 13 October 1999 at Villa Park in the 3-0 League Cup defeat against Aston Villa. The player clearly had talent and Sir Alex Ferguson was keen for the player to gain experience and promptly sent him on loan spells to AFC Bournmouth and Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp. John O'Shea's potential didn't go un-noticed on an international level when Irish manager Mick McCarthy called the defender upto to the senior squad in August 2001, making his debut on the 15th of that month against Croatia. Unfortunately for the player he gave away a penalty in injury time, which gave the Croats a chance to make it 2-2, which they duly took. When he returned from Belgium O'Shea began to break into the Manchester United first team and in the 2002-2003 season made an incredible 52 appearances for the club (the most times he's played in one season), helping The Reds pip Arsenal to the Premier League title. Additionally the season underlined the player's versatility when he appeared for United in a , number of positions including right-back, left-back, centre-back and central midfield. The following season John O'Shea established himself as a first team regular whenSir Alex Ferguson gave the player more opportunites to display his talents following Rio Ferdinand's lengthy suspension for missing a drugs test. That season also saw the player net his first Manchester United goal, when he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Wolves on 27 August 2003. On 4 February 2007 John O'Shea completed a remarkable achievement for the club, when against Tottenham Hotspur he played in goal after United regular stopper Edwin Van Der Sar had to leave the field after suffering a broken nose when he collided with Spur's striker Robbie Keane. This occurance saw the versatile defender play in every position possible during the 2006-2007 season, a feat which will probably never be matched. After he denied countryman Robbie Keane in a one-on-one situation his team mates nicknamed him "The Cat". Not only did O'Shea play in every position for the club that season, he earned his place in Manchester United folklaw history when four weeks later he scored a last minute winner against Liverpool at Anfield as The Reds persued Chelsea for the Premier League crown. In fact the goal started a mini scoring run for the player as he netted three times in seven games, which proved to be the catalyst as United went on to win their 16th English League title. During the 2007-2008 season John O'Shea's appearances in the first team were limited after the purchases of midfielders Owen Hargreaves and Anderson and compounded when Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra made the center back and left back berths - respectively - their own. However the player did make a respectful 32 appearances as The Reds went on to win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. John O'Shea Honours Manchester United From John O'shea career stats, to Manchester United players Manchester United football legends Manchester United Fans Site home |
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