O’Shea fancies hero’s dream job at United
JOHN O’SHEA was given one of the greatest moments of his life by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But today the former Manchester United defender is ready to hand his ex-team-mate a bloody nose and his first defeat as their manager.
At the age of 18 he cheered from behind the goal at the Nou Camp as Solskjaer fired home in injury time to win the 1999 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich and complete a glorious Treble.
But now in the twilight of his playing days at Reading, O’Shea is already casting an envious eye at Solskjaer.
Following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, the Norwegian, installed as an interim boss, has brought joy, style and goals back to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
And with O’Shea, 37, now looking to move into coaching, he would love nothing more than to have such an honour at United.
Incredible
Ahead of today’s lunchtime clash at Old Trafford he said: “The Treble year was my first one there.
“For the final the club had brought over the youth team and reserves.
“They took us to the game, along with club staff from the canteen, and we were behind the goal when Ole scored – on the second level up. It was incredible.
“It doesn’t surprise me how Ole is doing so far. As a player he had real intelligence and professionalism.
“He was always ready when called by the manager and had a great attitude around the place and treated people with respect.
“I’m hoping to go down the management route, I think I have picked up things. I’m jealous of Ole, when you look at the players and club he has. What an opportunity for him.
“Ultimately, if you coach, your dream is to manage your country, and the best team you can, Manchester United and Ireland for me, they’d be the two dream jobs.”
O’Shea covered every blade of grass at Old Trafford in his 13 years there and knows today could be his last hurrah at the famous stadium.
He turned out in all positions, including emergency striker and even goalkeeper, winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup as well as a large slab of his 118 caps for Republic of Ireland.
“There were many personal highlights at United,” he said.
“My first Premier League was huge for me in the 2002-03 season – I felt properly involved and we had a great run to win that league.
“I won trophies. In 2009 we won the league and I played in the Champions League Final defeat against Barcelona in Rome.
“There were plenty of highlights and medals. I cherish them. In the 2004 FA Cup run we beat Arsenal in the semi-final at Villa Park. We knew we would then be favourites against Millwall, and won.
“But I am disappointed not to have more FA Cup winners’ medals. We lost against Arsenal on penalties in the final in Cardiff and should have won.
“Then we lost to Chelsea at Wembley. Giggsy had the ball across the line but there was no goal-line technology to help.”
There were other moments that stand out for O’Shea, now embroiled in a battle to stay in the Championship with relegationhaunted Reading, who lost 4-0 to United at the same stage in 2017.
A stoppage-time winner at Anfield always goes down well with United fans as did his chip and ice-cool celebration at Highbury in a 4-2 win at Arsenal.
He savours those moments but is hoping for one more today.
“I remember Jesse Lingard nutmegging me for some skills video,” he said. “I’d take another of those from him if we could pull off a shock.
“I had shock wins at Old Trafford with Sunderland and we also won there in the League Cup semi-final on penalties too.
“But I know how tough it’s going to be. It’s going to be a great challenge.”