O'Shea full of confidence

John O'Shea feels Manchester United threw down a real title marker against Liverpool.

United have been in impressive form through the first couple of months of the season and they reinforced their position at the top of the table with their 2-0 win over Liverpool.

Irish utility man O'Shea is aware champions Chelsea and Arsenal will challenge hard throughout the season, but feels the win over Liverpool proves The Red Devils' title credentials.

"Before the game we were aware of Chelsea's victory, but we put in a fantastic performance and showed we really are up for the challenge this year and Chelsea know they are going to have a fight on their hands," O'Shea told Sky Sports News.

"It is early on in the season, but when you play the so called top four teams you have to put down a marker and we were disappointing against Arsenal. But yesterday, against Liverpool, we put in a fantastic performance."

O'Shea has been impressed with Arsenal and expects Bolton to provide a stern examination of United's credentials next week.

"You look at Arsenal's performances lately and they have been improving," added O'Shea. "It is early and you have to give the teams that are there at the moment credit.

"Bolton have had some fantastic results and we are going to have a difficult test when we go to The Reebok next weekend."