Premiership: O'Shea to miss United's Christmas games

Manchester United will be without John O'Shea for much of the Christmas programme.

The Republic of Ireland international was forced out of the champions' win over Middlesbrough with a groin strain.

He is expected to be out for up to two weeks.

This will rule O'Shea out of United's Christmas and New Year games.

The 20-year-old defender was just beginning to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team plans after United's defensive problems this season.

O'Shea was outstanding in the Red Devils' 5-0 thumping of Derby at Old Trafford last week.

Ferguson said: "It is a disappointment because the boy has been doing well. We wanted to see what young O'Shea could do. It was a good time for him to tell us what he is capable of."