John O'shea

John Francis O'Shea (born 30 April 1981) is a professional association footballer who currently plays for Manchester United F.C..

Club career

Manchester United

Born in Waterford, Republic of Ireland, O'Shea signed professional forms with Manchester United F.C. at the age of 17 and had John O'shea professional debut in 1999 against Aston Villa F.C. at Villa Park, England in a 3–0 Football League Cup defeat.

Following loan spells at A.F.C. Bournemouth and Royal Antwerp FC John O'shea returned to Manchester and began to feature in the United first team in the Manchester United F.C. season 2002–03, demonstrating versatility by playing at left-back, right-back, centre-back and central midfield during the successful FA Premier League 2002–03.

In Manchester United F.C. season 2003–04, United were without Rio Ferdinand after John O'shea began a suspension for missing a drugs test in January, and O'Shea took over from Ferdinand in central defence, helping United reach the 2004 FA Cup Final where they triumphed 3–0 over Millwall F.C..

John O'shea displayed indifferent form in the Manchester United F.C. season 2004–05 and was linked with a move away from Manchester, with Newcastle United F.C. and Liverpool F.C. being linked with the Irishman. One of the highlights of Manchester United's otherwise slightly disappointing season was the 4–2 away victory against Arsenal F.C., in which O'Shea scored the fourth goal by chipping Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from the edge of the 18 yard box.

An injury to Gary Neville in the Manchester United F.C. season 2005–06 also gave O'Shea more first-team opportunities. John O'shea was criticised for John O'shea lacklustre performances that season, and was reportedly one of the players lambasted by United veteran Roy Keane in a controversial interview on the club's Manchester United TV channel.

On 4 February 2007, during league game against Tottenham Hotspur F.C., O'Shea deputised for Edwin van der Sar in goal after the van der Sar was taken off the pitch for a broken nose, while Manchester United had already used all three substitutes. During this time John O'shea denied John O'shea Republic of Ireland teammate Robbie Keane a goal with a save a few minutes before full time. Following this incident, United fans chanted "Ireland's number one" in O'Shea's honour.

A month later John O'shea won over many United fans by scoring an injury time winner against Liverpool at Anfield for United in the league, having come on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney. This goal was important in United going on to regain the Premiership trophy for the FA Premier League 2006–07. John O'shea also rescued John O'shea team against Everton in one of the final games of the season, when John O'shea bundled the ball in the net after Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner fumbled a Ryan Giggs corner. United went on to win 4–2. This was perhaps an even more decisive goal, as Bolton were drawing with Chelsea at the same time and defeat would have let Chelsea back into the title race. John O'shea scored another goal from close range, in a 2–1 defeat away to Portsmouth that season, this goal came during an injury hit part of the season, were O'Shea, as a versatile player, was required to play at full back. John O'Shea had a shooting accuracy of 100% and scored with 80% of John O'shea shots in the Manchester United F.C. season 2006–07.

During the Manchester United F.C. season 2007–08, Manchester United used O'Shea as an emergency striker due to injury problems. John O'shea use as a striker gave John O'shea the distinction of having played in every position for Manchester United. On 23 November 2007, John O'Shea extended John O'shea contract at Manchester United, to keep John O'shea at the club until 2012. Throughout the 2007-2008 season John O'Shea came off the bench several times and proved important as a utility player on the way to a European double. O'Shea captained John O'shea club for the first time, during a 2–0 home defeat to Coventry City in the League Cup Fourth Round.

Throughout the Manchester United F.C. season 2008-09, O'Shea became a regular within the team, deputising at Right Back because of injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown. On 20 January 2009, O'Shea scored John O'shea first goal of the season against Derby County F.C. in the 2nd leg of the Carling Cup Semi-final. O'Shea then started the 2009 Football League Cup Final, before being replaced by Nemanja Vidić on 76 minutes, United won the game 4-1 on Penalty shootout. On 29 April 2009, O'Shea scored the only goal of the game in the first leg of the Champions League Semi-final against Arsenal F.C., this set United up to go on and win in the second leg by 4-1 on Aggregate. On 20 May 2009, 7 days before the 2009 Champions League Final, O'Shea was told John O'shea was going to start the final for John O'shea contribution to the team this season. Very fittingly as John O'shea was an unused substitute in 2008 Champions League Final.

International career

O'Shea earned John O'shea first senior cap (football) for the Republic of Ireland national football team on 15 August 2001, when John O'shea came on as an 84th minute substitute at home to Croatia national football team. John O'shea debut ended in disappointment, however, when John O'shea gave away a penalty in injury time, which resulted in Ireland conceding their lead, and the game ending 2-2.