Wes Brown has confessed he was over the hill when he left Manchester United to join Sunderland. In 2011, ex-Black Cats boss Steve Bruce raided his former club in the transfer market.

Aiming to build on a top-10 finish the previous campaign, Bruce signed veteran Red Devils Brown and John O’Shea. The duo arrived on Wearside having won it all, with several Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy in the bank.

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson was renowned for shaking up his side while they were still on top. That year, he allowed two trusted lieutenants to leave - to Sunderland’s benefit.

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However, Brown has admitted injuries had taken their toll on him before joining the Black Cats and he knew his Man United days were over. With one year left on his contract, Ferguson allowed the defender to make his mind up amid interest from Sunderland.

“No, not at all (whether he was forced to leave),” he told Fore Fore 2. “The gaffer (Sir Alex Ferguson) called me, I had a year left. I’d been there since I was a kid, but I know I'm not as good.

“My knees were playing off a little bit and we bought Rafael and Fabio, the twins, the season before. The gaffer said ‘listen, a few clubs have come in for you. You can stay, I know you have a year left, but you won't play as much. So it's completely up to you.’

“I had a think but I still wanted to play. I wanted to play but I knew it wasn't up to the standard at United. When you are fit, it's no problem. You’re getting up to your man quickly. I knew over the last couple of years, I just couldn't do it.”

“My game had changed a little bit. To be fair, with the injuries I had, I didn't do too bad in the sense that normal people wouldn't play as long with the two ACLs I had, but managed to get through it.”

Despite being past his prime, Brown claimed he “absolutely loved” his time in the North East. The 43-year-old spent five years on Wearside before joining Blackburn Rovers.

“Steve Bruce called me up and I remember speaking to Sheasy (John O’Shea) about it,” Brown added. “He goes ‘yeah, I might go as well.’ Because I knew Steve Bruce anyway, it just made it easier and Sunderland fans are crazy. I absolutely loved it.”

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