John O’Shea refuses to put boot in on Louis van Gaal
When he was at Old Trafford, finishing second was a failure.
Now, trailing in fourth is seen as a success. After Louis van Gaal and his players declined requests to discuss their predicament in the post-match media mixed zone following a first league defeat on Wearside for 19 years, O’Shea was unwittingly left as the one to dissect the unfolding nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Sunderland skipper is far too decent an individual to stick the knife into his former employers.
He chose his words carefully in an attempt to cause minimum offence to the club he served with distinction, earning five Premier League titles and a Champions League winners’ medal during his 12 years in Salford.
“It’s about adjusting,” he said. “There have been big injuries and they have lost some very important players.
“Because of the season they are having, it’s very difficult for them and they are not challenging where they want to be in the table.
“It’s the Premier League, the quality is increasing, as is the intensity.”
Six points separate Van Gaal’s side from the top four after yesterday’s games, with the Dutchman mooting that it might be easier attempting to qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, rather than by attempting to improve on their current fifth place.
In terms of lessening the pressure on the manager, this was a performance that did anything but, and somewhere, Jose Mourinho must have watched in increasing anticipation of a return to Premier League management in the summer across the city from Pep Guardiola.
“A top four finish is the given beforehand when you look at what is spent at clubs to get into the Champions League,” O’Shea added.
“That’s not just Manchester United, it’s the top five or six teams.
“That’s where the rewards are and that’s what attracts bigger and better players.
“That’s the challenge they have and I’m sure the backroom staff will be working hard to turn it round.”
Anthony Martial levelled with a sublime follow-up after Juan Mata’s shot was saved by Vito Mannone as United’s afternoon reached its zenith before gradually disintegrating against a team they had lost to once in 27 previous league encounters.
They finished the contest a patched-up mish-mash of nothingness, with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and debutant Donald Love an inexperienced full-back pairing enduring the toughest of top flight baptisms.
“I was once a young lad coming into a team like them,” O’Shea added. “But that was coming into a side that had just won the title and it was that bit easier.”
A return of 41 points at this stage is their worst in the Premier League era to leave United in danger of being overtaken by the rapidly approaching Southampton and West Ham.
The Republic of Ireland defender was also asked whether he was somewhat irked that United’s obvious limitations would be the main talking point, rather than a stirring display from the hosts which evoked memories of the effervescent performances accompanied by the intimidating Stadium of Light atmosphere which underpinned back-to-back seventh-place finishes under Peter Reid at the Millennium’s outset.
“If we stay in the Premier League, everyone can talk about Manchester United as much as they want,” O’Shea said. The 34-year-old added: “Our job is to ensure we maintain our Premier League status.”
Perform like this on a regular basis in their remaining 12 games, and that hope could well become reality.
They closed to within a point of safety with a scoreline which flattered the visitors, who were outflanked, outplayed, and outfought by hungry hosts who are starting to believe their now annual Great Escape might just be on again
The goals were a direct result of what looks increasingly like a notable month’s work in the January transfer window by Sam Allardyce.
Wahbi Khazri, bought for €11.6m from Bordeaux, deceived David De Gea with an early curling free-kick from close to Sunderland’s left touchline.
The United goalkeeper capped a forgettable display with a late own goal following defender Lamine Kone’s towering header, the Ivory Coast international also having signed last month.
“The new lads have given us a lift and a new positivity,” revealed Allardyce.
The Sunderland manager added: “I’d watched Kone myself on the Astroturf at Lorient.
“He heads anything and intimidates forwards. If you can handle their Astroturf at that size, then I thought he’d do alright on grass. People have asked if he reminds me of the way I played, but he’s a bit better on the ball than me. My second touch was usually a tackle.”
Mannone 7; Yedlin 6, Kone 8, O’Shea 8, van Aanholt 8; J Kirchhoff 5 (Rodwell 15, 6); N’Doye 6, Cattermole 7 (Toivonen 85, 5), M’Vila 7, Khazri 7; Defoe 7 (Borini 71, 5).
Pickford, Brown, Matthews, Honeyman.
De Gea 4; Darmian 4 (Love 38, 5), Smalling 4, Blind 5, Borthwick-Jackson 4; Schneiderlin 6 (Keane 86, 5), Carrick 5; Lingard 3 (Depay 63, 5), Mata 6, Martial 6; Rooney 5.
Romero, Herrera, Pereira, Weir.
A Marriner.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
