Champions League - O'Shea gets nod for final

Eurosport - Thu, 21 May 15:12:00 2009

Alex Ferguson has confirmed John O'Shea will get the reward for all his patience by guaranteeing him a starting role for Manchester United in next week's Champions League final.

Manchester United's John O'Shea (centre) celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammates Rio Ferdinand (left) and Wayne Rooney (right) PA PHOTOS - 0

Although it is nearly a decade since O'Shea made his United debut at Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland international has rarely been a regular in Ferguson's first-choice line-up.

Yet, with Patrice Evra ruled out for various stages of the season through injury and suspension, O'Shea has made frequent appearances at left-back this term.

And, when Gary Neville joined Wes Brown on the injury list later in the campaign, Ferguson turned to O'Shea's experience when he did not feel teenage Brazilian Rafael was the right man for the job.

Now the United boss has assured O'Shea of his place in the side that will tackle Barcelona in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

"John takes his place in Rome because he deserves it," said Ferguson.

"Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown, he has become a permanent fixture. He is ahead of everyone now."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. well done john unsung heroe to uniteds cause

    From DAZGGMU-RED-LEGEND-OF-YAHOO, on Fri 22 May 9:07PM

  2. Barca nr 1 perhaps, but as a team you wouldn't have­ seen Man U shut down over two legs by Chelsea the way­ Barca was. You are a one dimensional team who are easy­ to shut down by a competent defense. Also, newsflash.­ Puyol isn't better than Rio and Vidic is way better­ than his former understudy Pique who wasn't good­ enough to make it at Man U. You'd also get debate­ on your comparisons with Rooney, Ronaldo, and Xavi. You­ also didn't mention Ryan Giggs, PFA player of the­ year.

    From bigbrother09447, on Thu 21 May 10:16PM

  3. same @#$% each year from the ABU's, how much more­ do united have to win to make ye f**king idiots go­ away?!

    From andrew, on Thu 21 May 7:17PM

  4. Barca_nr_1 What the hell are you talking about you­ babbling idiot. You are one of these football fans­ that gets all your information and ratings fron video­ games instead of watching the real thing-@#$%!!

    From gmanmanu, on Thu 21 May 4:03PM

  5. Bobo s-Retarded, iliterate idiot, you know­ nothing.

    Players like O'Shea are few and far­ between. To many prima Donnas in the EPL.

    From gmanmanu, on Thu 21 May 4:00PM

  6. How do you compare the talent of Barcelona to­ manSHITster. Who is better Eto'o or Berbatov,­ Eto'o better. Henry or Rooney, Henry better.­ Iniesta or Teves, Iniesta better. Messi or Ronaldo,­ Messi way better. Xavi or Schole, Xavi billion times­ better. Toure or Carrick, Toure billion times better.­ Alves or O'shea, This is a joke, Alves trillion­ times better. Puyol or Rio, Puyol Better. Pique or­ Vidic, equal, maybe vibitch is a little better, but­ Pique is younger, and when he gets to Vibitch's­ age, Pique will be better. Abidal or Evra, Evra better.­ Valdes or Van der sar, I say Valdes because he is­ younger and could gain more experience, Van der sar is­ like 40 and suxks now. So for any of you fuxk heads­ manSHITster fans, don't compare the talent of Barca­ to manSHITster, because manSHITster does not come­ close. Barca will still destroy manSHITster even with a­ weak defense, without Milito, Marquez, Alves, Abidal,­ because we have our Trio Messi, Henry, Eto'o who­ will rip that manSHITster appart. Don't be­ suprised, those three have scored more goals that the­ whole manSHITster squad. Plus there is Iniesta, who­ could end the game at any time like he did to chelsea.­ So for you manSHITster fans go fuxk yourself, and come­ up with better excuses, because no matter what, Barca­ will destroy you, 4-1 for Barcelona. Visca Barcelona,­ Visca Catalunya, Mes Que Un Club!!!!!!!

    From barca_nr_1, on Thu 21 May 3:42PM

  7. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
    John­ O'Shea is sh_ite.
    Henry and Messi will be in­ pisses when they hear this!

    From Bobo S, on Thu 21 May 3:19PM

  8. DaGringo is jealous of English football, if you see him­ let me know.

    From wb, on Wed 20 May 10:21PM

  9. he also adds a tactical advantage, he's proven he­ can score goals on set pieces.

    From baboonunited, on Wed 20 May 6:19PM

  10. Props to the Waterford man! He has had a great season­ and deserver his place in the team! Unsung hero and­ true workhorse!!!

    From Ferdia, on Wed 20 May 6:15PM

  11. why write story twice. oshea will never set world on­ fire but this season he has stopped his silly mistakes­ and has played really well, just like fletcher, cannot­ wait till next week come on man u

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Wed 20 May 5:02PM

  12. Really pleased for John; he never moans, never­ complains, simply gets on with the job in hand, he and­ Fletch would have been 1st names on the team sheet;­ shame that Fletch won't be playing.....

    From Fjk, on Wed 20 May 4:45PM

  13. absolulelty! its like the likes of john and fletcher­ (feel really sorry for you mate) that made us win a­ hattrick of trophies.

    From Pritul, on Wed 20 May 4:21PM

  14. A fitting tribute to a quality player - Nice one­ fergie!!

    From redman777uk, on Wed 20 May 4:14PM
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