Once again, Mick fumbles the ball

The most significant task of an international manager is to use the lengthy periods of time between games to keep an eye on his players, both those in the squad and those trying to break through. This usually involves going to see them play. Maybe McCarthy didn’t fancy walking down Matt Busby Way and running the risk of some United fans recognizing the nemesis of their team captain. Perhaps as a former Manchester City stalwart, he brings too much baggage to the venue. Whatever the reasoning, it’s beginning to look from this vantage point that Roy Keane’s statement at a team meeting months before the World Cup that O’Shea should be in the squad for Japan is now being held against the 21-year-old prot