O’Shea revels in United captaincy

JOHN O’SHEA has admitted he will never forgot being made captain of Manchester United.

With Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar all injured and Ryan Giggs on the bench, Alex Ferguson handed the job to O’Shea against Birmingham on Sunday, even though most pundits felt Wayne Rooney was an obvious choice.

It capped an excellent 12 months for the Republic of Ireland star, who excelled in both full-back positions last term, occupying the left-sided slot for most of United’s record-breaking run of 14 clean sheets and then moving to the right ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona.

But to lead United out into a new Premier League campaign was something O’Shea values just as highly.

“It is a huge honour to be captain of Manchester United,” said the 28-year-old.

“It is nice to do it in pre-season games but to be captain for the first game of a new season is something I will always cherish.”

Whether O’Shea keeps the job depends on Ferguson’s team selection for tonight’s encounter with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Ferdinand and Van der Sar will both miss out, while Vidic and Neville remain major doubts.

However, Giggs could earn a recall to the first team as Ferguson maximises his squad.

“This is why the manager has the players he has,” said O’Shea.

“You can be called upon at any time because he has options in every position.

“Just at the moment we have a few key injuries. But it is up to everyone in the squad to step up because this season in particular there will be a real edge to stop us getting four-in-a-row.”

O’Shea is certain of his place, which has not always been the case during an Old Trafford career now into its 10th season and approaching its 350th game.

Yet Ferguson has singled him out for special praise often enough over the past few months.

Not that the Waterford-born star is ever likely to take life at Old Trafford for granted.

“Manchester United have such a big squad you know there will be times when you are not playing,” he said.

“There are probably only a handful of lads who know, if they are fit, they will play.

“Even halfway down the Premier League competition is fierce.

“Most squads have 11 or 12 internationals so you just have to cope with it the best way you can.”