O'Shea fully focused

John O'Shea is fully focused on Manchester United's trip to the Stadium of Light, despite the distraction of the Ryder Cup.
The defender is a keen golfer with many at the club suggesting he is the best player in the United squad. As fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington is taking part in the golfing event, O'Shea will be tuning in to see Europe's progress at a very wet Celtic Manor.
But when Saturday comes around he will have only one thing on his mind - which is how his side can pick up their first away win of the season.
O'Shea knows the Red Devils should be heading to Sunderland with at least two away wins on the board, but after some unusual defensive lapses cost his side points against Fulham and Everton he knows how important three points are against the Black Cats.
"We should definitely have a couple of away wins on the board right now," he said.
"I can't really explain why it has gone wrong. Teams have not been tearing us apart. It has literally been the drop of a ball that has gone against us.
"It is only a matter of time before we start keeping clean sheets away from home and there is no better time to start than tomorrow.
"Not that we are under any illusions about how difficult the task is going to be.
"We have had very tough games at Sunderland down the years and it seems Steve Bruce in particular enjoys the battles against his old manager."
O'Shea could return to the United starting line-up after missing the UEFA Champions League win in Valencia.
Manager Alex Ferguson has to rotate his squad in order for them to cope with two games in a week but O'Shea has got used to being rested.
"It isn't easy but we have done it enough down the years to know how to handle it," he said.
"You have to respond to it positively, otherwise you don't get the right result and it can end up costing you in the league.
"We must have the right attitude and the right physical approach. If we don't, Sunderland will come out on top."
The plan is to collect three points, then spend Sunday flicking between the golf and Chelsea's blockbuster encounter with Arsenal.
"I am interested in the Ryder Cup," he said. "A lot of the guys in the dressing room like to play, although it is obviously difficult when the European games start up.
"Most of us are of similar standard, which is not very good. But we are all looking forward to Europe winning this weekend."
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