O'Shea relishes Scrooge-like United

Manchester United defender John O‘Shea revelled in another clean sheet as his side won 3-0 against West Ham at Old Trafford but claimed they could have done even better.

First-half goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Juan Sebastian Veron were followed by a Sebastian Schemmel own goal after the break as United moved into second place in the Premiership table, level on points with defending champions Arsenal.

“We could have finished off a bit more but we scored three goals and got a clean sheet so we are very happy,” said man of the match O‘Shea, who has been part of a defence which has not conceded a goal in United‘s last four matches.

“It gives us immense satisfaction. We have had a settled back four for the last few games and it seems to have done the trick.”

Defensive colleague Wes Brown added: “We are not conceding goals and are playing very well.

“We would like to keep it going and keep getting clean sheets.”

O‘Shea has been deployed at left-back in recent matches – a position he is getting to like despite not being a natural left-sided player.

“I like playing at left-back. I‘m really enjoying it. I like going forward,” he told Sky Sports Premiership Plus.

“The aim is to make it hard for players to get back in. It will be interesting to see when they come back [what happens] but I am happy to be playing in the first team.”

Brown also realised his position could be under threat once £30million defender Rio Ferdinand returns to fitness but said he was not worried.

“We have got a great squad and some great players to come back in and whoever the gaffer picks it will be fine.”

Both players realised the significance of another victory today – their fourth in succession – after important wins over Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal.

“We needed another win today because if we didn‘t win the other victories would have not given us the same satisfaction,” said O‘Shea.

And Brown added: “It is still early days but to get the win today puts a bit of pressure on [other teams] this afternoon.”