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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

John O'Shea's finest hour as unsung hero paved way for Cristiano Ronaldo masterclass

Sir Alex Ferguson's later career at Manchester United benefited a lot from superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, but the team's achievements wouldn't have been possible without academy talents mucking in.

One of Ferguson's biggest talents was making fringe players feel important, and he was repaid in the form of big performances from those who weren't the biggest names. Players like John O'Shea - never the star man, but still a man who could step up when the star didn't.

The Irishman scored a hugely important goal in the 2006-07 title run-in, helping United launch what was effectively a Premier League-deciding comeback. Two years later, though, he delivered on an even bigger stage.

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