Vital win delights Sheasy

John O’Shea was in high spirits as Monday night’s win at Portsmouth got United's title defence up and running.

The injury-hit Reds dropped two points at home to Newcastle in the season opener and, with trips to Liverpool and Chelsea looming, the importance of victory at Fratton Park was not lost on O’Shea and his team-mates.

“We're delighted with the win,” he told MUTV. “It's been a tough place to come over the last few seasons. We were hoping to add more goals, but to get a clean sheet and a win after the draw with Newcastle was vital.

“Half the team-talk was about the importance of getting the first win and it's something all us players discussed as well. We did enough to win even by a couple more goals. I don't think many teams will come here and keep a clean sheet and get three points, so we've got to be pleased.”

Darren Fletcher’s bundled strike ultimately proved the difference between United and Pompey, but O’Shea reserved praise for the Reds’ rearguard, who kept the hosts at arm’s length and posted a vital clean sheet.

“We've got to be confident in our back four and they showed their quality tonight against a very physically strong Portmouth side,” he said.

“It's always going to be edgy when it gets to the latter stages and it's only 1-0 - it would have been nice to have a two or three-goal lead. But we're confident in keeping clean sheets because of the players we have.”