Manchester United Defender John O'Shea Desperate For World Cup Glory With Ireland

Manchester United defender John O'Shea has revealed his strong desire to go to next summer's World Cup with the Republic of Ireland, having missed the squad back in his country's previous appearance in the competition in 2002.

The versatile stopper failed to make the cut having only just beginning to break into United's first team at the time. Now firmly entrenched in coach Giovanni Trapattoni's plans, he admits that to make it to the World Cup will be as big as anything he has achieved with the Red Devils.

"Obviously [former Ireland manager] Mick [McCarthy] stuck with the squad that got him there [to the 2002 World Cup] and there was no problem with that," O'Shea said to The Irish Independent.

"It would have been great to go. To get to a World Cup would be huge, it would be up there with anything that I've done. Time's running out, as they say."

Ireland play Italy at home on Saturday, and look to have a play-off spot all but guaranteed. If they are able to defeat the Azzurri, they may even have a narrow chance of topping their qualifying group.

The international break has also given O'Shea an opportunity to reflect on his career with United. The Irishman has made the most of his chances since breaking into the first team as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, and has rarely looked back since, having now clocked up 350 matches for the club.

"When I started off with United, you just hope to get in somewhere in or around the first team or the first-team squad, and when you do get a chance you hope you take it," he said.

"The first year we won the league, in 2002-03, that was a huge, huge year for me and ever since then I've played over 30 or 40 games a season. I feel now I'm still improving and obviously the experience of everything, getting to Champions League finals and winning Premierships, being part of successful squads - I've been very fortunate.

"Getting to that 350 mark... I'm obviously very, very proud of it and it's something I would hope to improve on and get a lot more."

The 28-year-old utility also expressed a desire to emulate the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs by seeing out his career with United and remaining a one-club man.

"Yeah, I would be happy [to end my career at United] but I've always said that if the manager comes to me and says: 'Look, I don't think I can get you the games now' or whatever, there'll be no problem with me. Who knows when that will happen, or if it will ever happen?

"Scholesy and Giggsy have looked after themselves, and showed the desire to still want to be there. That's something you can only admire and hope to learn from."

Phillip Wen, Goal.com UK