JOHN O’SHEA hopes to experience Fergie Time against the Red Devils this evening.
The long-serving Manchester United player was used to being part of Alex Ferguson’s side which scored important late goals.
Today he takes his first steps in management as Ireland host Belgium.
And he is hoping his mentor’s namesake Evan Ferguson can come good after going four months without a goal.
Interim gaffer O’Shea said: “All good strikers, whether you’re young or old, you’ll have that spell in your career of a couple of months without a goal and it’s just getting back to the little extra finishing sessions, little reminders of what you’re good at and reminders of where to be to hurt teams.
“I think that’s the key thing for me. A player when he’s in form, he’ll be doing those things as well and to keep that consistency, and get your level of performance up to where it should be.”
After the 19-year-old’s spectacular breakthrough at Brighton last season — and a first career hat-trick against Newcastle United in September — he has hit a four-month-long goal drought.
But O’Shea hopes to bring the best out of him against Belgium in his first game as interim boss.
He added: “The main thing will be supply and getting him in the box.
“If selected, the key thing is getting him in the box where he’s most dangerous — getting supply to him and getting him to enjoy his football.
“He’s got a bit of everything. He can bring others into the game and is taking on defenders one v one and the most important thing is hitting the back of the net.
“He’s got a lot in the locker. If you get him closer to goal, he’s going to be a big danger.”
O’Shea increased his options by adding Southampton left-back Ryan Manning to his squad.
The former QPR and Swansea City player had undergone a minor operation which prevented him reporting for duty earlier.
But with Liam Scales ruled out through injury, it left Robbie Brady as the only left-footed defender.
And, with Manning making a recovery, he has linked up with the squad.