Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson reserved his place in an exclusive club in Moscow last Wednesday evening when he claimed his second European crown nine years after the first to further enhance the reputation he has established over his illustrious career.

O'Shea was an unused substitute as United overcame domestic rivals Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to help Ferguson get the better of the soon-to-depart Avram Grant.

He has little doubt as to the fiery Scot's place in the managerial pantheon after his first few days working under new Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni following his big night in Russia.

O'Shea said: "I think he is up there on his own - although our new Ireland manager is no slouch when it comes to winning trophies.

"But I think our gaffer is up there on his own and he is hungry for more - and credit to him for that because obviously he feels that this team can go on and write a new part in the club's famous history."

Ferguson's hunger for success saw him abort his retirement plans to build a new team at Old Trafford, and O'Shea would not be at all surprised if his latest taste of glory kept him at the helm for some time yet.

He said: "It's what gives the manager his enthusiasm and desire to become a part of such a team.

"There are stories coming out that he has three more years in charge - I would say he could be there longer than that."

Despite picking up a medal for his contribution to United's Champions League triumph - he started four games and appeared in two more as a substitute en route to the final - O'Shea did not manage to get on to the pitch as an agonising conclusion unfolded.

However, the 27-year-old, who earlier this month picked up his third Barclays Premier League winners' medal, revealed he very nearly did.

He said: "Obviously, it would have been great to get on the pitch in the final, but to play your part in a Premier League-winning team and helping when needed in Europe is something I will be very proud of.

"I was very close to getting on the pitch. With a minute to go, the manager shouted at me to get ready. He was going to bring me on for Wes [Brown].

"But I think somebody had a word in his ear and Anderson went on instead.

"I am trying to find out who that person is - and I am narrowing it down."

O'Shea managed a total of 36 appearances for United last season, half of them from the bench, and is desperate to force his way into the starting line-up on a regular basis.

However, while he admits the temptation to seek pastures new in the search for regular first-team football is sometimes difficult to quell, he has no intentions of heading out of Old Trafford just yet.

He said: "That is crossing my mind a lot of the time, but then I think 'where do I go when you leave a team like that?'

"That's an even bigger question. For the time being, I will stay where I am."

Those who have left the club in recent years have not always prospered elsewhere, and O'Shea does not have to think back too far to assess his own good fortune.

Back in 1999, he was at the Nou Camp as a youngster to witness United's dramatic Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in his first year at the club.

He said: "The club brought every member of the canteen staff, reserve team, youth team over to Barcelona on the day.

"We had lunch down at the harbour and an afternoon of a few orange juices.

"Buses were meant to pick us up at 6.30pm to the Nou Camp, but an accident prevented them from making it to us, so we all ended up in our Manchester United blazers getting on the trams to go to the stadium that way.

"Mingling with the fans I think that they felt that half of us were meant to be playing."

Asked how many of his fellow tram passengers that evening are still at the club, O'Shea replied: "None, although a good few are still playing football."