What about John O'Shea: By Ben Westlake @BenniWest:

What About  John O’Shea

With current talk during the transfer window focused on the need to replace the ‘irreplaceable’ Paul Scholes, with a creative Midfield player, I wish to focus on a point raised by fellow writer Mayur Joshi about the United defence.

 

Ok, so, John O'Shea...

People’s opinions differ on John O'Shea, and a few were not really bothered by his departure to Sunderland this summer. Great signing for them, a HUGE LOSS for us, personally, all I can see is this being a potential defensive dilemma as pointed out by fellow writer Mayer Joshi, that could come back and haunt us.

Although John O'Shea was not a regular first team player, granted, just how valuable was he as a utility player? How many times did he stand up to the plate, and fill in at every role given to him, and played like a true red.

How many times did he give 110% red passion. He is in actual FACT, one of the ONLY United players, to be able to say that he has played in every position on the pitch, for Manchester United.

Just a few stats for you John O'Shea had a shooting accuracy of 100% and scored with 80% of his shots in the 2006–07 season.

During the 2007/2008 season he was used as an emergency striker, due to injury problems. Granted he wasn't a prolific goal scorer, but he made 389 appearances, scored 14 goals, of which 9 were premiership, some which were very important, , along with five other goals in all competitions.

Let’s not forget the injury time winner against Liverpool at Anfield after coming as a sub in 2006/2007 season which helped us to regain the Premiership trophy, he also rescued us against Everton in one of our final games of the 2006/2007 seasons, after a fumble by Everton goal keeper Ian Turner, after a Ryan Giggs cross, which after a Draw by Chelsea against Bolton meant Chelsea had no way back into the title race.

On 4 February 2007, during league game against Tottenham Hotspur, 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 he denied his 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.

John O'Shea : FACTS

"I could play John anywhere. He has great passing awareness, two good feet, he is quick, and he is balanced. He's athletic, big and gets around well.” Sir Alex Ferguson

"He is a great professional. The boy never complains. He is happy to play anywhere. He has not always been a number one choice but he produces 30 performances a season and it is a contribution we are grateful for. He is so versatile and offers such great value for us" - high praise AGAIN from Sir Alex Ferguson

When he returned to Manchester United from a loan period at Bournmouth and Royal Antwerp and began to feature in the United first team in the 2002–03 season, he demonstrated versatility by playing at left-back, right-back, centre-back and central midfield during the successful 2002–03 Premier League campaign.

And look back at the job he did replacing Rio during the whole drug test/ban period craziness. Then replacing the great Gary Neville during the 2005/06 campaign.

He truly was player , who, despite not having a regular place or position he could "fit in " anywhere he was put and put in a damn good effort.

Which now leaves me  wondering, are we making the mistake of trying to replace Paul Scholes,

Who knows,

Are we overlooking the fact that with the likes of O'shea and of course Brown gone and Van der  Sar retired, we are leaving ourselves relying on the twins in Fabio & Raphael, Evra , Jones and of course Rio and Vidic

Not that I’mm doubting the abilities of any of them, but experience counts for everything and our defence is not exactly known for being the healthiest after last season, when it comes to injuries, and I feel we may just suffer for the lack of a player like O'shea or even Brown ,who when called upon played in any position needed.

In my opinion John O’Shea is a TRUE UNITED LEGEND, and will be missed sorely.

I’ll leave you with a quote from the man himself :-

 

John O’Shea :-

“ I’ll defiantly see more action if I don’t just stick to one position, don’t get me wrong it’ll be nice at some stage to pin down a position, but the MOST important thing at this club, is that you play, and do whatever  you’re asked to do.   Once I’m in the team, I don’t mind where I’m playing, every time you get a run in the team you have to make people open their eyes up and show them  you can actually do a job”.

John O’Shea  – 1999 - 2011