Wes Brown Bio Send To Friend  

Brown's bid to become a regular for both club and country has constantly been dogged by injuries, although he remains one of the best squad players in the top flight.

He looked certain to leave Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2008 after failing to agree a deal. But during a campaign during which he was the first choice right-back (in the absence of the injury Gary Neville) he finally banished the speculation to pen a new four-year contract.

Brown signed as a Manchester United professional in November 1996 and after a few seasons Brown gained a regular first team place at full-back where his pace and attacking instincts made him an ideal replacement for the then-injured Denis Irwin.

He received his first England cap against Hungary in Budapest in 1999 and the youngster was a big part of the United squad who won the Treble in 1998-99. However, the injury jinx began when a training ground cruciate ligament knee injury meant that he missed the entire 1999-00 season.

Blossoming into a fine young defender, known for being incredibly relaxed on the ball, his excellent performances won him a place on the England plane to Japan and Korea in 2002, although he spent his time on the bench.

He played possibly his best football in 2002-03, but Brown again did his cruciate knee ligament on the last day of the season against Everton, putting him on the sidelines again and a variety of niggling injuries limited his appearances in the following years.

The arrival of Nemanja Vidic in January 2006 meant that most of his first-team chances were restricted to an understudy, either to Rio Ferdinand or Vidic, or for Gary Neville at right-back. Nevertheless he confirmed his worth as a vital component with some strong displays as United seized their chance of becoming champions of 2006-07.

In the last year of his contract and unable to agree terms, an exit seemed likely at the end of 2007-08, before he finally signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford.

With Neville on the sidelines, Brown enjoyed his most productive season in terms of appearances in 2007-08, playing 47 games as United took the Premier League and Champions League double; but was soon back on the sidelines again and made only six starts the following season.

An exploratory ankle operation limited his chances again, but he remains an excellent squad player for both club and country who, when fit, can push the very best for their place in the side.