O’Shea relives United’s derby-day blues
And if the Red Devils were expecting Alex Ferguson to ease their misery they were sadly mistaken. Instead, the fiery Scot laid into his team as never before.
No wonder O'Shea is not contemplating defeat when Kevin Keegan brings his City side across to Old Trafford today.
"Even if the manager hadn't said anything we would still have been upset," said the Waterford-born defender.
"The mood around the training ground for a couple of days afterwards was awful. It was like there had been a death in the club. Then the manager added to it by giving us a huge rollicking.
"We have to put the memory of that game behind us and make sure that we get a victory."
For once, City enjoyed the better of their meetings with United, grabbing an Old Trafford draw to go with their home win later in the campaign.
The chances of an away win today look slim though. It is 1974 since the Blues last won at Old Trafford, when Denis Law's famous back-heel sent his old club down.
In addition to the weight of history, City are also suffering their worst run of results since Keegan joined the club over two years ago.
Sunday's goalless draw at Everton extended their winless streak to seven matches, during which time they have scored only twice.
O'Shea cautioned against overconfidence though and insisted Mancunian pride should be an effective guard against complacency.
"The loss at Maine Road and draw at Old Trafford last season were not good enough, especially for the fans," he said.
"It's their big day and you have to put a show on for them. You have to remember they must go into work on Monday and we want to give them something to smile about.
"City are not up there with our main rivals so people might not think it is as big as some of the other games.
"But for us, this is a home game against our biggest rivals in the city. We want to win it to prove we are the best team in Manchester."
With the exception of long-term absentee Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ferguson has a fully fit squad to choose from, including Wes Brown, who returned to action in midweek after his second knee operation.
"I don't relish the job of picking my team for this one," said Ferguson.
"I could play about six teams with different formations in midfield and attack. I just hope I pick the right one."
No matter what team Ferguson eventually selects, it looks like delivering another body blow to Nicky Butt's chances of staying with the club.
Butt expressed his frustration at his lack of first-team opportunities in midweek, since when a string of clubs have been linked with the England midfielder.
It is almost unheard of for a player of Butt's stature to express his discontent at life at United and Ferguson is refusing to offer too much sympathy.
"Nicky has never said anything to me," he said. "Until he says something, nothing has happened as far as I am concerned."
Kevin Keegan is astounded by Ruud van Nistelrooy's phenomenal goalscoring record and insisted the Dutchman will get even better.
As the finest striker of his generation, the Manchester City manager is perfectly placed to judge van Nistelrooy's abilities.
"You don't have to assess his ability, you just have to look at his goals. The minute you look at any striker, you want to know how many games they have played and how many goals they have scored.
"His record is astounding and what makes it even more remarkable is that he had that year out with his knee injury," he said.
David Seaman will play after coming through training this week with no reaction to the rib injury which forced him to limp out of the Everton encounter.
"Teams don't usually get lucky at Old Trafford you only get a result there if you deserve it.
"You have to defend stoutly and have the courage to play. You don't win, or even win their respect, by sitting back all the time.
"We shall go there sensibly and if we create chances hopefully we will have more luck taking them than we have had in recent games."
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