While Sir Alex Ferguson always liked his Manchester United teams to play with pace and creativity, he also had a soft spot for players that could perform in a number of positions, rarely letting him down in the process.

John O'Shea, who amassed 393 appearances for the Red Devils prior to his departure for Sunderland in 2011, certainly fell into that category.

The Irishman broke into the United side as a regular left-back during the 2002-03 campaign and as the years went on, he also filled in at right-back, centre-back and holding midfield.

Yet despite his predominantly defensive mindset, throughout his time at Old Trafford, O'Shea weighed in with some important goals.

His chipped effort away at Arsenal in 2005 is fondly remembered, as is his close-range effort against the same opposition in the semi-finals of the Champions League four years later.

Although often overlooked, O'Shea also found the net against Everton during the 2006-07 campaign as United took control of the Premier League title race.

However, perhaps his most important goal in United colours was scored eight years ago today at the home of his side's bitterest rivals.

It was a tough challenge that awaited United at Anfield, where Liverpool had not been defeated all season, winning 11 of their 14 outings.

It seemed that Rafael Benitez's men were not prepared to surrender that record either as they put their visitors under plenty of pressure.

The likes of John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch all went close as the game wore on, while Craig Bellamy had a goal ruled out for offside.

The Reds failed to make the most of that domination, though, even after United had lost Wayne Rooney to injury and seen midfielder Paul Scholes sent off in the closing stages for hitting out at Xabi Alonso.

Given the circumstances, United could have been forgiven for settling for a point but in the 90th minute, O'Shea, who had replaced the stricken Rooney, made himself a hero among the travelling faithful.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo's drilled cross and O'Shea was on hand to sweep the rebound into the roof of the net.

Speaking after the final whistle, Ferguson admitted that his side had got lucky, saying: "Liverpool will feel unlucky and they deserve to. We had a lot of narrow escapes and they upset our rhythm. It was a massive victory."

Meanwhile, defeated boss Benitez added: "I would have trouble explaining how we lost that in Spanish. In English I find it almost impossible.

"We dominated the game, were in control and had plenty of attacks. Sometimes football is all about luck. You must be careful against a team as good as United."

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise; Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko (Crouch), Gonzalez (Aurelio); Kuyt, Bellamy (Pennant)

MAN UNITED: Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Silvestre); Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Rooney (O'Shea), Larsson (Saha)