O'Shea sets more goals for United

JOHN O'SHEA has admitted Manchester United's poor goalscoring record is the major factor behind their failure to reclaim the Premiership crown.

After Saturday's disappointing goalless draw with Blackburn, even Alex Ferguson was forced to admit it was time to "forget about Chelsea" and concentrate on the battle with Arsenal to finish runners-up and claim the second automatic Champions League slot.

The Gunners seem to have recovered from their mid-season slump, recording six wins in seven Premiership outings since the 4-2 home defeat to United in February and scrambled above the Red Devils on goal difference.

So if Ferguson's men are to stand any chance of clinching second spot - and netting a precious £2m in extra Champions League prize money - they need to increase their goals output over the remaining seven games.

Despite a squad boasting the undoubted talents of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Alan Smith, the Old Trafford outfit have hit the target just 48 times in 31 games so far this season and O'Shea accepts the figure does not make pretty reading.

"A lot of people will be surprised at the number of goals we have scored," said the Irish international.

"Normally it is a lot higher than that and it has to be a factor in the way our season has gone. If you look back on a number of games - Tottenham, Fulham, Manchester City, Everton, Blackburn twice - we have battered the opposition and not won the match.

"You have to take your chances and it is something we will have to work on because with the talent we have in our squad, we should have scored more goals."

O'Shea has contributed two league strikes himself this term.