Sheasy's reward

John O'Shea will receive the perfect birthday present today - the promise of a Champions League final place. Boss Alex Ferguson revealed the versatile Irishman is a near-certainty to start in Rome if his Manchester United side keep their lead over Arsenal in this semi-final. O’Shea, 28 today, got the only goal in the 18th minute of last night’s first leg at Old Trafford. And after staying on the bench throughout last season’s triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, he has the perfect incentive to make sure United reach a second successive final. Fergie said: “John is one of the great professionals of our time. The boy never complains and is happy to play anywhere. He has not always been the No 1 choice. But he produces 30 performances a season which we’re grateful for. He plays left-back, right-back, centre-back and midfield. He is so versatile. This season he has not missed many games because of the injuries we have had. And if you ask me now if we get to the final will he be in the team, I would say yes.”