Start to finish: So often a cameo performer, O’Shea has revelled in his lead role this season. And while there wasn’t so much of Johnny marching down the wing, he was stopping wingers instead, the Waterford-born defender slotting seamlessly into the full-back positions. O’Shea certainly grasped any opportunities that came his way, but following the Reds’ record-breaking defensive run – in which O’Shea notched 13 appearances – he was putting together a watertight case for selection on his own merits.
In position: When Patrice Evra missed games through suspension and injury in the first half of the season, Red legend Gordon McQueen suggested he was hardly missed, such were O’Shea’s impressive displays. “He looks as if he’s been playing there all his days,” added Martin Buchan, and it was the same when he moved to the right.
Season highlight: O’Shea made his 200th league appearance in November, as the Reds beat the Blues 1-0 in the Manchester derby at Eastlands.
Vital contribution: Aston Villa’s attacking threat dwindled like a candle as the season progressed, but in November Martin O’Neill’s side were firing on all cylinders. O’Shea was one of only a few defenders to keep widemen Ashley Young and James Milner at bay, earning United a well-earned point.
Any lows: Injury sustained against Portsmouth stopped him surpassing his career-best tally of appearances for a term, and curtailed his role during the run-in.
Any other business: Few goals will give O’Shea a warmer feeling than his winner at Anfield in 2007, but his strike against Derby in the Carling Cup in January saw him become the 15th player to score for the Reds in all competitions. His belter against Arsenal at Old Trafford in May gave United the advantage in the Champions League semi-final, first leg, while no-one started more games (11) in Europe.
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