Seeing an outfield player don a long-sleeved jersey, a pair of goalkeeping gloves and stand between the sticks is one of football's more jovial amusements.It is an important role and has in the past been bestowed upon the likes of Phil Jagielka, Rio Ferdinand and more recently Harry Kane. But 15 years ago to the date, Manchester United utility man John O’Shea was called upon to stand in between the sticks and put on one of the greatest ad-hoc goalkeeping performances we have ever seen. In 2007, the Red Devils obliterated Tottenham 4-0 at White Hart Lane to give them a six-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table. Despite their drubbing over Spurs, the game wasn’t all plain sailing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who lost first-choice goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar in the second half, after the Dutchman broke his nose in a clash with Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. At that point in the match, Ferguson had already used his three allocated substitutions, and ironically, O’Shea was the last of them, coming on in the 80th minute to replace Ryan Giggs. With the first-choice ‘keeper leaving the field, Rio Ferdinand initially tried to take on the responsibility of going in net, but it was the former Ireland captain, known for his versatility, having played in nearly every position for Man Utd, that would put on the gloves. And the 40-year-old didn’t once look out of place, showing off his exceptional handling skills and command of the penalty area and even stopping Robbie Keane, who broke through United’s defensive lines to go 1v1 on the goal. 

While there aren’t many outfield players who can boast that they’ve kept a clean sheet when playing in goal, O’Shea was quick to jest with Van der Sar in his post-match interview, stating: “I just asked Edwin if he had a clean sheet bonus because I want half of if.” 

Looking back on the incident, the former-United utility man told the Official Manchester United Podcast that the most stressful part of the whole experience was taking a goal-kick. 

He said: “It was hilarious as well. The most nerve-wracking thing was the goal-kick and just turning backwards, where all the Tottenham fans are saying 'nice' things about you as you go to kick the ball.

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“And at least I can say I have a 100 per cent clean sheet record in the Premier League, and not a lot of people can say that.” 

The Irishman also recounted the moment he stopped Keane from scoring against him, blocking the attempt from his compatriot to stop Spurs from getting a goal back. 

“Thankfully, I kept a clean sheet and I had a one-on-one save with Robbie Keane,” he said.  

“We were going on international duty after that as well and Robbie wasn't happy, like, because he was obviously hungry for goals.”

Yet the 40-year-old was one of United’s most underrated players and certainly fulfilled a uniquely multifaceted role in Ferguson’s squad across his 394 appearances for the club.