O’Shea speculation gathers pace
August 30, 2004
Speculation is growing that John O’Shea could be on his way out of Manchester United if the Old Trafford club complete a multi-million-pound move for Wayne Rooney before Tuesday’s midnight transfer deadline.
O’Shea has already played in three positions for United this season – in midfield, at left back and, for the past three games, in the centre of defence – but that versatility has not convinced observers that he is sure of his future at the club.
Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze will return to the club next week after helping his country to Olympic gold at the weekend, and Rio Ferdinand’s ban for missing a drugs test will expire next month, so O’Shea could find himself squeeze out of Old Trafford before Tuesday’s deadline.
He had been mentioned as possible bait in a cash-plus-player deal to sign Rooney from Everton, with David Moyes a known admirer, but the latest speculation surrounds a possible £5m bid from Newcastle if United beat the Magpies to Rooney’s signature.
Newcastle, who parted company with manager Bobby Robson on Monday morning, require a new central defender after the sale of Jonathan Woodgate to Real Madrid and O’Shea, given a choice between Tyneside and Everton, is thought to prefer a switch to St James’s Park, where he would enjoy Uefa Cup football and the comradeship of fellow Irish internationals Shay Given, Stephen Carr and Andy O’Brien.
