John O'Shea

[rambler14]

Rafael is Man United's best "attacking" full-back. But O'Shea is the better of the other two when it comes to the basics.

[rebelmusic]

Aye but Fergie always seems to have mixed faith in Rafael. We'll see anyway. I'm assuming Josh is on the bench tonight for a rest

[elroy]

Playing Centre Midfield against Wolves by the looks of it.

[tetsujin1979]

Just taken off against Marseille with a suspected hamstring problem

[Closed Account]

Pulled up holding his hamstring, hopefully its not too serious.

[Noelys Guitar]

Just did his hamstring. Thats him doubtful for the Macedonia game.

[boovidge]

who will replace him if he's out?

[CraftyToePoke]

who will replace him if he's out?

McShane in the squad I suppose. Not exactly cavalry charging to the rescue now is it.

[tetsujin1979]

Promote Towell from the U21s, maybe Stephen O'Halloran or Matt Doherty?
With Kelly and Foley in the squad, we are well covered at right full

[Sullivinho]

who will replace him if he's out?

Wilson has been playing there for Stoke lately. Foley made his name there but hasn't been given much opportunity by Trap. Beyond that you'd be talking about Kelly and McShane.

[paul_oshea]

pulling hamstrings seems to be one of those problems that people get more and more as they reach the advanced years of their careers. it seems to he caused by a lot of other injuries also that arent properly rehabilitated from or linger particularly back or that. its a min 3 weeks lads with this.he is definitely out but will be back for uniteds game begining of April no doubt

[ofjames]

must be contagious. john's replacement rafael gone off now with what looks like a similar injury

[Jicked]

Going to be a very, very inexperienced defence if Given, O'Shea and Dunne are all absent. We might see Kilbane restored to the defence to marshal the back four, especially when keeping our shape is so vital to how we play. Meanwhile Goran Pandev just scored a great last minute goal for Inter in the Champions League.

[tetsujin1979]

Confirmed, five week absence - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...818157,00.html

[Kingdom]

Times ruled him out this morning, and gave a firm indication that Dunne will be out along with Given. Bugger.

[Stuttgart88]

Out with the old, in with the new. McShane out in the wilderness. If we can just get through this game we might be able to look at it as a watershed moment.

[Fixer82]

Going to be a very, very inexperienced defence if Given, O'Shea and Dunne are all absent. We might see Kilbane restored to the defence to marshal the back four, especially when keeping our shape is so vital to how we play. Meanwhile Goran Pandev just scored a great last minute goal for Inter in the Champions League.

Lads Kilbane was always going to start. Trap is way too conservative to change too much from last competitive match

[rebelmusic]

Interesting

"Brazilian full-back Rafael is a major doubt, with his manager claiming he would need to impress in training tomorrow to stand any chance of ousting John O'Shea."

http://football365.com/story/0,17033...866305,00.html

[gustavo]

Great to see O'Shea continue to oust challengers to the right back spot at Old Trafford

[John83]

Great to see O'Shea continue to oust challengers to the right back spot at Old Trafford

Really? The phrase "a major doubt" is footballjournospeak for "injured, probably won't be fit", so I read that as 'Rafael is still recovering from his injury, and unless he shows a dramatic recovery tomorrow, O'Shea's just the safer bet'. Not that Ferguson's reluctant to use O'Shea, but I think Rafael is a little ahead of him right now when he's fully fit.