The Rise and Rise of John O`Shea

By Ade O`Connor
May 22 2003

The meteoric improvement of John O`Shea, the Manchester United defender, has been well documented in the media. From breaking into the team, O`Shea soon progressed to nutmegging Luis Figo in the Champions League. So where next for the Irishman with the World at his feet?

The Waterford born lad started his career at Manchester United and penned his first professional contract in 1998. Just a year later, he got his chance to impress in the first team, playing against Aston Villa in the Worthington Cup, albeit in a weakened United outfit.

O`Shea started out playing in the reserves, notching up two goals in twenty appearances up until joining Bournemouth on loan in January 2000. Already O`Shea was showing potential and earned rave reviews whilst on loan, even scoring his opening first team goal inside his ten appearances.

Now the promising defender had the bit between his teeth and returned to Old Trafford two months later, setting out on his quest to break into the first team. However, this was to no avail as O`Shea only featured in a second string side in the Worthington Cup.

Royal Antwerp, United’s Belgian partner club, soon took John O`Shea aboard and he soon found regular first team football at the heart of the defence. In the meantime, John took to the Ireland under 21 side, and became a regular fixture under Don Givens.

After a series of injuries, O`Shea was thrown into the fray in a friendly game against Croatia in August 2001, though it was no fairytale beginning as he gave away a penalty to hand the Croatians a very late equaliser at 2-2.

The 2002-2003 season saw the real break through for O`Shea, after a number of key injuries in the centre of the defence, Alex Ferguson gave O`Shea his chance.

He grabbed it with both hands, and soon enough proved impossible for Ferguson to drop. O`Shea earned praise from teammates such as Rio Ferdinand and the Manchester United manager, who openly praised him in the media.

Playing in a variety of positions, including centre back, left back, right back and even centre midfield on one occasion – O`Shea had made his mark on the side. O`Shea was to settle on the left side of the back four, ahead of England left back Phil Neville.

Now subject to scrutiny on the European stage, O`Shea did not disappoint. Holding firm against the top teams from the continent, the high point being the nutmegging of Luis Figo from Real Madrid, when more experienced players around him were losing their heads.

On the league front, the strong defender almost scored on two occasions. O`Shea was guilty of missing somewhat of an easy opportunity in the Manchester derby; and going on a terrific run, storming into the Newcastle box, before crashing the ball against the bar.

Towards the end of the season, O`Shea landed a spot on the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist, alongside the likes of Jermaine Jenas and Wayne Rooney. Jenas eventually picked up the crown, but O`Shea was not without his plaudits, his achievements clearly recognised by his fellow professionals.

More celebrations followed for the Waterford man, as he celebrated the league title with Manchester United, after featuring in many league games. John O`Shea finished the season with 68 appearances for the Old Trafford club and 5 international caps, a record to be proud of.

Where next many ask? Well, a move away from Old Trafford is very much unlikely, as Ferguson quickly moved in to sign O`Shea on a new deal. He is keen to make the centre back position his own next season, rather than to float around the back line.

Earlier this year, Manchester United boss Ferguson had made a case for O`Shea to occupy the centre of the park, taking on a Roy Keane like role. Perhaps we can expect the versatile defender to step into the midfield breach.

Whatever the position, O`Shea seems to have it made for a good career. There are few better clubs to develop young players and bring them along than United. Staying involved in the first team set up is vital, on the evidence shown so far this should be no problem.

In terms of Ireland, we can be sure that O`Shea will feature in the heart of Irish teams for years to come. He has the potential to be one of the all time great Irish defenders, alongside the likes of David O`Leary.