The rise and rise of John O'Shea

Crisis what crisis? Rumours of Manchester United’s demise are, I think, a tad premature.

On the face of it, things aren’t going so well at Old Trafford and the statistics would seem to bear that out – six goals in seven Premiership games, compared to 22 this time last year, making for their worst start to a league campaign since season 1973-74. And fans as well as foes won’t need reminding that that was the last time United were relegated.

Certainly, there is also a feeling now among opponents that United are not invincible, that Old Trafford is no longer a fortress and that even the more modest teams can go there and make a game of it or even nick a result.

Well, they should it enjoy it while they can. Once United get all their best players back – not least the incomparable Roy Keane – tighten up their defence and rediscover their goal touch, then expect to see them put a really good run together.

I’d said from the start that, good as he is, Rio Ferdinand would take some time to bed in and so it has proved. Lauren Blanc is still a grand player but, eventually, I expect to see the paring of Rio and our own John O’ Shea become the backbone of a new period of success for United.

I can’t speak highly enough of O’ Shea. For such a big lad, he’s incredibly composed and for such a young lad, amazingly confident. So much so that if it was up to me, I would definitely start him for Ireland against Switzerland in the European Championship qualifier next month.

I say this fully aware that, after the defeat in Moscow, this game has suddenly become a much more nervous assignment than it might otherwise have been. Ordinarily, you’d want someone’s full international debut to be under less pressurised circumstances but if anyone can handle the challenge then I think John O’ Shea can.

And alongside him I’d play Gary Breen. No offence to Kenny Cunningham, whom I’ve always admired, but Gary had a terrific World Cup and even though West Ham are struggling big time at the moment, I think he’s entitled to shade it for the other spot.

Returning to United, I believe that once Ruud van Nistelrooy gets going there’ll be no stopping him. Even against Spurs at the weekend, he might have put away three chances. Once the first couple duly arrives, expect United’s goal drought to end – and with it all the media hype about the crisis at Old Trafford.

Speaking, as I was, of the Irish defence, I’d like to say how pleased I am that Kevin Keegan has given Richard Dunne what might well be one last chance to sort himself out at Manchester City. Richard is a good player and a lovely lad but it’s obvious that he can get himself into difficulties with drink. I was 28 before it started to catch up with me to the extent that there were days when I wasn’t up to training or whatever; if it’s already happening when you’ve just turned 23, then it’s something that needs to be dealt with urgently. So I’m glad Kevin has handled this wisely and I hope too that someone sits down with Richard and has a good chat with him about all this.

Apart from anything else, it’s worth reminding people that Richard Dunne should be hitting the headlines because he’s a good footballer – in fact, I thought he was our best defender and one of our best performers all around in the tough opening games of our World Cup qualifying group. I wish him well.

No review of the past fortnight in football would be complete without reference to poor Peter Enckleman, the Aston Villa keeper who allowed a throw-in from one of his own players to touch his foot and dribble into the net for one of the most absurd own goals ever.

I heard Andy Dibble during the week saying that he owed Peter a favour for stealing his thunder – you may remember that Andy was the Man City keeper at the centre of another goalkeeping howler, when he had the ball nodded out of his hand and tucked into the net by Gary Crosby of Nottingham Forest.

Gary Sprake was another – the Leeds goalie famously threw the ball into this own net back in 1967. And even our own Shay Given was “done” in embarrassing fashion by Dion Dublin not so long ago.

So if it’s any consolation to Peter Enckleman, it happens to the best of them.