Good news for O'Shea

**Slash/ED** · 13/12/2004, 7:37 PM

Ferguson hails "remarkable" O'Shea improvement

December 13, 2004

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that a break from first-team activity has done wonders for the club’s Irish international defender John O’Shea.

O’Shea has spent the past two months on the fringes, leading to speculation that he could be on his way out of the club when the transfer window opens in January.

However, Ferguson insists the 23-year-old remains a key part of the club’s future, and to that end he is delighted with the progress he has made since the decision was taken to relieve him of first-team duties for a spell.

“When you see the improvement he has made in training, and strength-wise, it is remarkable,” said Fergie. “For two-and-a-half years we played him all the time in different positions, sometimes with injuries, simply because we had to. Rio was suspended, Mikael Silvestre was out with an injury, so was Gary Neville and Wes [Brown], and really the boy has done fantastically well.

“Now, having given him that break, he looks a different player completely. He is fresh and strong and he has been terrific in training.”

Maybe things aren't as bleak for him as some people seem to think.

**eirebhoy** · 13/12/2004, 7:43 PM

He made the bench for tonights game against Fulham.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/12/2004, 9:32 AM

Miller didn't even manage the bench. Not looking good

**joeSoap** · 14/12/2004, 9:35 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

He made the bench for tonights game against Fulham.

Still not playing though....thats a worry, but ffs, he has to be worth his place ahead of that Muppet Silvestre. He has gone from being a decent player to a nightmare overnight...

**noby** · 14/12/2004, 9:55 AM

Sounds like a sales pitch to me.

“He is fresh and strong and he has been terrific in training.” , and could be yours for the right price.

**eirebhoy** · 14/12/2004, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

Still not playing though....thats a worry, but ffs, he has to be worth his place ahead of that Muppet Silvestre. He has gone from being a decent player to a nightmare overnight...

It won't happen overnight. He hasn't been making the bench for premiership matches for a couple of months (excluding injuries to other players) but got on the bench last night ahead of the in-form Brown.