ADAMS KNEW IT WAS UNITED'S ALL ALONG

Last updated : 11 May 2003 By Editor

"I went to Manchester to give a talk to United's first-team squad about my Sporting Chance clinic, and the effect of alcohol consumption on athletes. In front of me I saw men with revenge in their eyes. What had happened to them clearly hurt. There was a camaraderie and determination about them that mirrored the way I felt after I had endured a disappointing Euro 88 and so wanted to lead Arsenal to the title the following season.

"It is why I always stuck with United to be champions, even through the heady days of autumn when Arsenal were playing so excitingly. When United got their injured players back they would come again. I knew that, and believed, too, that the physiological slog of five years of continuous and intensive football on Arsenal's French players would sooner or later take its toll. The timing was all wrong for them.

"I also took note, on that day in Manchester, of a young lad called John O'Shea. The other players, even the manager, were gently poking fun at him, in the way we used to do at Highbury with Ashley Cole when he first emerged. Senior players only do that with a kid whose ability they respect, one they know belongs among them.

"I then watched O'Shea play against Chelsea and saw him frequently give the ball away.

"He must be a decent defender, I thought, because he was certainly getting a lot of practice. But he reminded me of that kid in the park who, like me, would always be the one to go and get the ball when it was kicked miles away because he was so eager to get the game going again, to keep playing. As O'Shea grew in confidence over the season, he gave it away less and showed himself to be a fine defender. An all-round player, in fact, with awareness and drive. And the sort of winner I like."