'A great professional': Ex-Sunderland and Manchester United defender praised by Black Cats supporters

O’Shea spent seven years at the Stadium of Light and made 256 appearances for the Black Cats before departing in 2018.

During his first five years at Sunderland, O’Shea played a key role to keep the club in the Premier League, yet he left Wearside following back-to-back relegations.

Nine years after O’Shea’s arrival, we asked our readers what they made of the centre-back’s time on Wearside.

Here are some of the responses:

On our Sunderland Echo SAFC Facebook page, Ian Humphries said: “Great professional, good captain, led by example, maybe played on a little too long, can see him becoming a good coach/manager in the future.”

Denis Mccain added: “Way past his best when he came here but still good enough to get in our team.”

Ian Taggart commented: “Mixed . Captained us through the good but responsible for most of the bad times we had.”

Ron Clarke posted: “He’s better than anyone since.

Rowland Sinclair said: “Good. He controled the back four, something we lost when he went and never got it back.”

Danny Hogan agreed: “Everyone has a go at him but he kept us in the Premier league for the first 5 years.”

Meanwhile on Twitter, @_toosb tweeted: “A quality signing. A great professional, a great bloke. But asked to play far too much near the end of his time here.”

@Jamestweddell said: “Great servant for the club. Just wish we’d been more successful in his time and that it didn’t end so poorly.”

@bennyboy1972 added: “Top professional. Boy do we miss his type.”

@GiffordGeorge commented: “One of our better signings. Very good professional.”

@68gunssafc posted: "Ultimate professional,did a fantastic job for us in what was very difficult seasons for the club .I'd have him back in an instant in a coaching role .maybe even management.”

@ShaunGunner1973 tweeted: “Good solid signing, good value for money and a very good servant to the club.”