“It’ll be good. I’m really looking forward to going back to Old Trafford,” said Brown. “Obviously I had only ever previously been at Manchester United so it will be special to go back. I will enjoy the day but I’m going back there to try and win as a Sunderland player and hopefully we can do that. It will be nice to catch up with a few people I’ve not seen for a while before and after the game but during those 90 minutes I’ll be fully focused on hopefully getting a good result for Sunderland.”

Chris Eagles – Bolton

Phil Neville – Everton
Total appearances: 386
Phil joined when he was 13 years old and left when he was 28. He made his début a week after his 18th birthday against Wrexham in the FA Cup. He became vice-captain at Everton a year after joining them and was made captain the following season.

Danny Guthrie – Newcastle
Total appearances: 0
He joined the United academy when he was 13 years old and left for Liverpool FC when he was 16. He was loaned out to Southampton and Bolton before joining Newcastle in 2008, for whom he has played 85 games.

Danny Simpson – Newcastle
Total appearances: 8
Salford born Simpson joined the academy when he was 15 years old and left for Newcastle when he was 23. He made his début when he was 20 against Coventry in the League Cup and spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp, Sunderland, Ipswich, Blackburn and Newcastle, before joining the latter club on a permanent basis.

David Fox – Norwich
Total appearances: 0
Fox signed his first contract with United when he was 17-years-old and left the club when he was 22. After spending time on loan at Royal Antwerp and Shrewsbury, he signed for Blackpool. He was released by Ian Holloway three years later and signed for Colchester where he spent a season, before joining Norwich. He became a first team regular last season and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League.

Ryan Shawcross – Stoke
Total appearances: 2
He joined the club when he was 15-years-old and left for Stoke when he was 20, after playing there on loan. Two years later, Shawcross was made captain.

Danny Pugh – Stoke
Total appearances: 2
After joining the academy, he made his début when he was 19-years-old before joining Leeds two years later in part exchange for Alan Smith. He stayed there for two seasons before joining Preston North End. From there he joined Stoke on loan, in a deal which became permanent.

Danny Higginbotham – Stoke
Total appearances: 7
Born in Manchester and joining the academy as a lad, Higginbotham spent time out on loan at Royal Antwerp before signing for Derby County when he was 21-years-old. Since then he has played for Southampton and Sunderland, as well as his current club Stoke, which he joined for the second time in 2008.

Mark Wilson – Stoke
Total appearances: 0
He joined United when he was 13 years old before moving to Portsmouth four years later. From there he spent time on loan at Bournewoth, Yeovil and Luton, before joining Stoke last year where he is a first team regular.

John O’Shea – Sunderland
Total appearances: 392
O’Shea joined United when he was 17-years-old and when still a teenager was loaned out to Bournemouth. He made his début when he was 18 against Aston Villa in the League Cup. Only 28 players have featured more for United more than O’Shea.

Wesley Brown – Sunderland
Total appearances: 361
Born in Longsight, Wes joined the academy when he was just 12-years-old. He made his début against Leeds United in a 3-0 win when he was 18. Only 36 players have featured more for United than Brown.

Phil Bardsley – Sunderland
Total appearances: 18
Born in Salford, Bardsley joined the club when he was just 8-years-old. He grew up near The Cliff and used to watch the players train during the school holidays. Whilst at United, he spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Villa and Sheffield United, before signing for Sunderland when he was 22.

Fraizer Campbell – Sunderland
Total appearances: 4
Campbell joined our youth scheme when he was 10-years-old and made his début against City in the league when he was 19. He spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp, Hull and Spurs before joining Sunderland.

Kieran Richardson – Sunderland
Total appearances: 81
Richardson joined our academy when he was 16-years-old and made his début when he was 17 in the Champions League. After enjoying a loan period at West Brom, where he was instrumental in saving them from relegation. He scored two goals on his England début before being sold to Sunderland.

Alan Tate – Swansea
Total appearances: 0
Tate joined United’s academy when he was a teenager and went on to captain the Reserve team. He spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp and Swansea, before making a permanent move to the latter, where he is now the vice-captain.

Luke Daniels – West Brom
Total appearances: 0
This Bolton born keeper joined United when he was 9-years-old and left the club for West Brom when he was 16 in a deal that saw Kuszczak come the other way. He has yet to make his way in to the first team at West Brom, spending time out on loan and playing for Motherwell, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers, Charlton Athletic, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers.

David Jones – Wigan
Total appearances: 4
Jones joined United’s academy when he was 10-years-old and made his début when he was 19 against Arsenal in the League Cup. He spent time on loan at Preston, NEC Nijmegen and Derby County, before joining the latter permanently. He spent just one season there before joining Wolves. After three seasons there he was offered a new deal, which he rejected, before joining Wigan on a free transfer this summer after spending a period there on trial.

Mike Pollitt – Wigan
Total appearances: 0
Politt joined United when he was a teenager and signed a two-year apprenticeship when he was 16. After spending time on loan with Oldham and Macclesfield, before joining Bury on a permanent deal when he was 19. Since then, he has played for Lincoln, Altrincham, Darlington, Notts County, Gillingham, Brentford, Sunderland, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Ipswich and Burnley. He joined his current club in 2005 but has largely been used as back up.

Sylvan Ebanks-BlakeSyWolves
Total appearances: 2
Ebanks-Blake was a boyhood Liverpool fan but opted to join United’s academy when he was a teenager. He made his début in the League Cup against Crewe Alexandra when he was 18. Ian Holloway signed him for Plymouth Argyle where he spent two years before joining Wolves. He won the Championship Golden Boot in 2008 and 2009.

Having played in just seven league games last season, Brown realised it was time for him to move on.

“I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson,” said Brown. “I decided it was probably for the best that I moved as it didn’t look like I would be playing much this season. It has been a lot easier with John coming here. I knew some of the other lads here and Danny Welbeck was here last season. They told me what a great club it was. I also spoke to Dwight Yorke as well and since I have been here it has lived up to what everyone said.”

Brown was linked with Everton, amongst other clubs, yet Brown claimed former Manchester United captain, Steve Bruce, helped convince him Sunderland was the right club.

“A few clubs came in for me and I spoke to Steve,” Brown continued. “He is someone I have known for a long time as well and the way he wanted to take the club forward impressed me as well. I also like the players he was wanting to bring in and thought this was the right move for my future. Other clubs were offering similar deals and it would have been easier for me to stay in the North West but what Steve said helped me make up my mind.”

Scott the Red: Are you pleased with the signings of Wes Brown and John O’Shea?

Collin Randall: Sunderland fans have broadly welcome the O’Shea singing more than that of Brown. I’m more positive, taking the view that you don’t get to play for United unless you’re pretty good. Also, I know some United supporters actually rate Brown higher than O’Shea.

STR: I’d actually say most United fans rate Brown more highly. His omission from the team this season wasn’t down to ability! Which do you think will get the most game time now they’re in the North East?

CR: I think both will play important parts in the first team squad, and probably start together in the first game at Anfield.

STR: You’ll have us lot cheering you on for that! Where do you anticipate them playing?

CR: We have serious centre-back injury problems so I’d expect that to be where they’d play. However, one area of weakness remains full back. Bardsley has proved he can play either flank so maybe Bruce has that in mind unless we make one more defensive signing. I don’t see O’Shea in a midfield role given all our contenders for that part of the formation.

STR: Any chance of either of them being captain?

I am deeply unhappy with the idea of Cattermole as captain; his disciplinary record did improve but that relied on a degree of luck. O’Shea as captain would feel like a good move to me.

STR: Do you think Bruce has done a good job in the transfer market this summer?

CR: Overall, yes. We are still short of a dependable striker, as we have been since Bent was inexplicably sold without a replacement in view. Gyan is good, but his commitment to the club is at best debatable, and Connor Wickham may take time to prove himself. And a left-back. Then Bruce must start offloading a few.

When Roy Keane took charge of Sunderland, less than a year after leaving United, it was natural for us to look out for their results. He had been such a massive figure in shaping our greatest moments over the past decade so of course we would wish him the best wherever he got in to management. If the United connection had ended there, we probably wouldn’t have thought much else of it, but as the years have gone by, this connection has grown.

In the past five years alone, Sunderland have been represented by Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Phil Bardsley, Kieran Richardson, Frazier Campbell, Jonny Evans, Danny Welbeck, Danny Simpson, Danny Higginbotham, Liam Miller, David Healey and Paul McShane. Our former keeper, Raimond Van der Gouw has worked at the club as a coach and our former Reserve team coach, Ricky Sbragia, was on their staff and was caretaker manager when Keano left. Mick Brown, our former assistant manager, was their head scout, Neil Bailey, our former youth team coach is on their staff, as well as our former player, Michael Clegg. Not only was one former captain, Keane, their manager, but our captain when we brought back our first title in twenty six years, Steve Bruce, is their current manager.

With John O’Shea and Wes Brown joining those numbers yesterday, it’s pretty hard to deny the link between the two clubs. Whilst some of those players mentioned above weren’t fans’ favourites or hadn’t played at United for a while, these two are well loved by our fans.

In the 2003 run in, United fans took a “We’ve got Wesley Brown, we’ve got John O’Shea, Manchester is dreaming of silverware in May” banner to the away games. Both their songs, particularly Wes’, regularly get sung at Old Trafford and will do for years to come. Seeing these lads we’ve watched grow up at the club wearing the shirt of another won’t feel nice, but it will also make it more difficult to avoid that soft spot for Sunderland.

Clearly though, I’m not actually adopting Sunderland as my second team, but I will probably feel a stronger attachment to them than I have any club that isn’t United before. Just looking at their squad, their back four next season will probably consist entirely consist of our youth team products!

I will be cheering them on though, looking out for their score, and hoping they do as well as possible next season.

Come on Brucey and the lads!

“It was disappointing not to have played as much as I could at Manchester United over the last couple of seasons so just to know that I’ll be back in, playing, I’m focusing on that really and looking forward to it,” said Wes. “Last season, I couldn’t get into the team and that was frustrating but that’s football and you move on. Sunderland is a big club and Steve Bruce was a big factor coming into it. That’s what it came down to really. When I was younger, I used to watch Steve and I’ve known him a bit as well so it was fine. I know a couple of lads who have been here and they say it’s a wonderful club and I thought this was the place for me to come.”

“We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes’ ability, experience and character to the club,” said Bruce. “He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him.”

January 25th 2001: Brown favourite for England

April 9th 2001: Wes in PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist

June 19th 2001: “I’m a Manchester lad and would love to play for United for the rest of my career,” said Brown. “I’m hoping to start contract talks soon, in the next month, and am confident of everything going smoothly. It has always been my dream to play for United – and it still is. Playing for any other team, no matter who it is, would be an anti-climax for me.”

July 9th 2001: “I have been here a long time and I am looking forward to new challenges and that is what Manchester United is all about,” said Brown. “I’ve always said that I want to play for Manchester United, and signing this contract, which keeps me here until 2005, shows that. With me joining everyone else in signing, it just proves how much we love Manchester United.”

September 8th 2001: “I think Wes Brown is the best in England,” said Ferguson. “He’s better than Sol Campbell, he’s better than Rio Ferdinand, he will be a fantastic player.”

October 25th 2001: “I’ve played at the highest level in Holland, England and now Italy, and for me Wes stands out head and shoulders above any player I’ve come accross of his age,” said Stam. “He’s a phenomenal prospect and it’s frightening when you think he’ll improve as he gets more experience. There’s no doubt in my mind that Wes has got the potential to be one of the greatest defenders in Europe.”

October 27th 2002: “I just hope the lad gets a break now, stays clear of injuries and gets on with a long spell of playing because he is a tremendous player,” said Ferguson. “He has a smashing temperament and I have never had any fears about how he would handle the situation. All he needs is a bit of luck.”

February 7th 2003: “Wes helped me out a lot, showing me around when I first moved here, and you owe people like that,” said Rio Ferdinand. “On the field, he’s been brilliant. He’s been badly affected by injuries over the last couple of seasons but he’s having a new lease of life.”

February 11th 2004: ”My fitness is getting better,” said Brown. ”I could still be better, but the fitness is beginning to come now. The lads were playing brilliantly, but Rio is out for a while now and I’ve just come back into the side and we’ve let some goals in. I’ve not been playing top-notch, so I can understand it (the criticism). I’ve had my ups and downs, so I won’t let it get to me and will keep working at my game.”

April 9th 2004: “The people who are now saying Wes should go to Euro 2004 are the same as those that were slaughtering the guy and saying he was finished,” said Ferguson. “I made my point about Wes, he is one of the best natural defenders in the country and my opinion hasn’t changed.”

May 22nd 2004: “I’ve been here since I was 13 and don’t want to be anywhere else,” said Brown.

July 14th 2004: “My injuries have always stopped me achieving something,” said Brown. “It’s always halted my progress for six or eight months at a time. But you just have to keep your head up and believe in yourself and keep working. I love football. I wouldn’t be there playing if I didn’t love it so much. I don’t think you lose that desire and will to win, it’s just that when you have been out so long your body has to catch up with what your mind is thinking.”

October 2nd 2004: “We’ve made the boy an offer and he’s turned it down,” said Ferguson. “It’s his decision. He can please himself – there are no more talks planned that I’m aware of. We’d like to avoid the situation where he leaves on a free transfer. If he wants to stay we would love that. But if he wants to look elsewhere that’s up to him – there’s nothing you can do with modern-day footballers. He has changed his agent – I don’t know why. He’s got an agent that has given him advice that I do not understand. I think the problem is with the agent, not the player.”

November 4th 2004: “We are all delighted by the news,” said Ferguson over Brown’s new deal. “Over the last few weeks there has been a great deal of uncertainty and that has been a worry. I have known Wes since he was 13 years old and have watched and seen him grow into a splendid young man. I couldn’t bare to lose him, I didn’t want to lose him. I am thrilled that Wes has decided to commit his future here and I hope that he will enjoy his career at Manchester United.”

November 5th 2004: ”It’s great for me. I never wanted to leave Manchester United and now it’s all sorted – done and dusted,” said Brown. ”I was just waiting for the right one (contract) and now everyone has agreed it’s fine. Everything is back on track and I can just get on with playing. I think they have offered me a contract that proves I am part of their future set-up. It’s great to know and I’m delighted it’s all agreed and signed.”

October 27th 2005 (after returning from achilles injury): “From now on I have just got to keep training hard for when I am needed,” said Brown. “I have got to keep working on my fitness and play as many games as possible.”

February 23rd 2006: “That is the main thing you have to avoid – rushing back,” said Brown. “After two or three weeks, you feel normal, you are walking normally and you feel like you should be ready to do everything. It does your head in but you have to be patient and take it slowly. Ole would be one of the first in and when everyone had gone, he would still be in the gym. He worked so hard to get where he is now. I was like the fans. I could not wait until he had pulled on that shirt again.”

April 15th 2006: “I would take Wes to the World Cup and I have told Sven that,” said Ferguson. “When you look at John Terry, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell, I realise Sven has a lot of options but if I was England manager I would take him. Wes is an outstanding defender. A real, true, natural defender and fantastic to have in your squad. He has turned into a really important player for us.”

January 5th 2007: “I’m a Manchester lad and Old Trafford is still the only place for me,” said Brown. “My contract runs to 2008 and I would love to see out my career at United. I’ve no intention of going elsewhere.”

July 21st 2007: “Talk about me leaving this summer was rubbish really,” said Brown. “I love being a Manchester United player and I have never thought about going anywhere else. There is always competition for places here. We have brought in some more new faces and the team is looking young and good. It will be great to be involved this season. Throughout my career I’ve always been a squad player. The manager knows he can pick me and I can do a good job, so I’m very happy here. Leaving United is a conversation I would dread to have with the gaffer. I love playing for United. It’s my home town, so I’m just glad to still be here after all the injuries I’ve had. Leaving would be a step down.”

July 23rd 2007: “Wes likes it here and we will be looking to extend his deal,” said Gill.

September 1st 2007: “I always want to play,” said Brown. “That’s the main thing. If I was here and didn’t play a game then that would be completely different. But I can honestly say that when I have been fit I’ve played maybe 25-plus games a season. That’s a good amount. When everyone is fit, I don’t get on the pitch. But it’s a squad game. Throughout my time here I’ve always played the same role.”

September 22nd 2007: “I have always tried my best for the team,” said Brown. “I have been here nine years now and I would do anything for the club. It is good to know how highly I am valued by the manager. It is certainly hard to imagine ever playing for anyone else. Hopefully that won’t happen. I am happy here and hopefully I can stay here.”

December 7th 2007: “We have had several meetings with Wes’ agent but they have rejected our last offer,” said Ferguson. “It is a good offer but it is our final one. That is the end of it now and we won’t be going back. There is a possibility Wes could leave, which would be very disappointing.”

January 4th 2008: Newcastle put in a bid to sign Wes Brown

January 16th 2008: “We would clearly want Wes to stay,” said Gill. “He’s a local boy who has come through the ranks. I think he wants to stay. We’ve made him what we believe is an excellent offer, but we’ve not reached an agreement. So we’ll see how it unfolds.”

February 22nd 2008: “Players of today live in their agents’ pockets,” said Ferguson. “It’s a situation which depresses me at times, it really depresses me. Wes has been with us since he was 12, but I don’t think that matters these days. Players’ agents live their lives for them and if you are happy to go along with that, you get the situation you have got just now. But Wes knows this and the other players have told him. We wouldn’t have made the offer if we hadn’t had faith in him. It’s in his hands. It’s amazing really given that he has had such a good season and has had such a good run of games while Gary has been injured.”

April 18th 2008: Wes Brown signs new deal

April 18th 2008: “I don’t think there’s any club for Wes Brown other than Manchester United, he’s a Manchester United player and I was always quietly confident,” said Ferguson.

April 22nd 2008: “Manchester United is a fantastic club and I am delighted to have signed a new deal,” said Brown. “To be part of a team I have supported all my life is a great honour. I can see this team winning many trophies in the coming seasons and it will be great to share in that success.”

April 22nd 2008: “I am delighted Wes has signed a new contract, he has grown up at this club and is an integral part of the squad,” said Ferguson. “He has done a great job during Gary’s absence and has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance.”

April 30th 2008 (after beating Barcelona in European Cup semi-final): “To single out the really important people, you have to go to Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand really because they took most of the pressure,” said Sir Bobby Charlton. “The whole game everything went through the middle. If Messi came in, he came in on his left-hand side, which was central, and every time he came in there was somebody to block his shot and it was Wes Brown or Rio Ferdinand, they were just sensational.”

May 4th 2008: “Wes has been doing it all season and you expect big performances from him,” said Rio. “Gary Neville is fit now but he’s still managed to keep his place – and that speaks volumes for the way Wes has been playing. The manager has great confidence in him, he’s a fantastic professional and I always feel comfortable playing alongside him.”

May 7th 2008: “Two more wins and we’ve got two trophies. That’s what we’re aiming for,” said Brown. “We’ve played well all season so to throw it away now would be very disappointing. We know the title is ours if we win at Wigan and we’re all looking forward to the Champions League final in Moscow. It won’t be easy but we want both trophies and we’ll do everything we can to get them.”

September 22nd 2009: “It was frustrating not to be able to build on where I was at the end of 2008,” said Brown. “Getting injured for the most of last season was not very pleasant but I am used to it I suppose. There is no point thinking ‘why me?’ I just get on with it and try to be confident. I am fit at the moment. That is the main thing.”

November 25th 2009: “I have been injured on so many occasions, I am used to coming back and trying to getting back into the team,” said Brown. “That has happened again this season. The injuries have been frustrating but this is the only place I have ever wanted to be and Manchester United is the only club I have ever wanted to play for. I am still happy to do that.”

Brown admits he is happy to pass on his experiences over his injuries to young players.

“A lot of the younger players come to me for advice. I just tell them to listen to the physios because whatever injury I have suffered, their advice always meant that I was able to come back. I have great trust in them. Injured players just have to believe in themselves, work hard, and you will get back really fit.”

November 27th 2009: “When Wes Brown is fit, he is the best natural defender in the country,” said Ferguson. “I keep thinking he is only 22 or 23 but we were doing a summary of our players’ ages and contracts the other day and I saw Wes is 30. But he has such a young approach to life which you have to pay tribute to the lad for. He has done well to deal with all the things he has had to deal with and still come out fighting. Players need a run of games to achieve consistency and get the timing and tempo of their game correct. We are seeing that at the moment. Now he is fit again and looking fantastic, he gets better all the time. Long may it continue.”

July 12th 2010: “We were close last season but it was never really in our hands. We’ve got to make sure it is this season,” said Brown. “Like we say every year, the Premier League and the Champions League are the ones we really want to win, so we’ve got to come back better and stronger this season.”

August 8th 2010: “I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international football,” said Brown. “At the age of 30 I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.”

October 2nd 2010: When asked if he was frustrated at not having a regular first-team spot this season, Brown said: “Yeah, a little bit. But I’ve always had to deal with that situation throughout my career. It’s something I’ve learned to handle. We’ve got lots of good players in defensive positions. I’m not in there at the moment. I have to keep training hard and, when I do get a chance, play well. All you can do is train hard. There’s no point sulking and letting it get to you. It might be difficult, but you have to remember that everyone wants to play every week. Unfortunately, that can’t happen.”

November 29th 2010: “I am not getting any younger now and every game I do play I just try to enjoy and do my best for the team,” said Brown. “You have to give everything for the cause. That is the most important thing for me.”

February 20th 2011: “I’ve not been getting in,” said Brown. “I’m working hard in training and that’s all I’ve been doing. I’ll keep my feet on the ground, keep training and see what happens.”

July 6th 2011: Wes Brown has a medical at Sunderland