Brown 'relieved' that United boss Fergie moved him on

Wes Brown has admitted it was a ‘relief’ when Sir Alex Ferguson sat him down at

the end of last season to tell him to move on from Manchester United.

Ahead of his Sunderland debut at Kilmarnock tonight, the defender, who spent 15 years as a professional at Old Trafford, revealed: ‘You sort of know what’s coming anyway. So in a funny kind of way it’s a bit of a relief when someone like Sir Alex sits you down and tells you how it is.

‘Sir Alex’s decision wasn’t a surprise. I think I’d got my head around it. We had a good chat and everything was fine. In a way, I think it meant we could both draw a line under things and move on.

‘It was a difficult decision to leave. It was really only this summer where things started to come to a head.’

Brown did not figure for United after he was substituted in the win over Bolton on March 19. There was an offer from Stoke, but Brown says the prospect of teaming up with so many former United players at Sunderland proved too strong.

‘A few clubs came in for me, but I spoke to Steve Bruce,’ he added. ‘I’ve known him for a long time and what he was saying about taking the club forward and the players he was bringing in showed the club’s ambition.'

John O'Shea or Wes Brown to be named as Sunderland skipper.

Steve Bruce is set to name John O'Shea as Sunderland's new captain, upsetting current skipper Lee Cattermole.

Cattermole was named Sunderland's skipper at the start of last season but Sportsmail has learned that the former England Under 21 midfielder is set to be replaced by O'Shea, 30, who joined from Manchester United last week.

Cattermole picked up 10 yellow cards and two reds last season and Bruce is concerned that disciplinary problems could blight the player's career.

Wes Brown - who followed O'Shea from Old Trafford - was also considered, but his poor injury record worked against him.

Ferguson gives best wishes to departing Brown

Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Wes Brown after he ended his 15-year stay with the club.

The 31-year old defender today signed a four-year deal with Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and his departure has been met with sadness but well-wishes from Ferguson who was in charge of him from since his arrival as a professional player in 1996.

He feels Brown is moving to a strong club and is confident he can give something to ex-United captain Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light.

"Wes has been a great asset to the club during the most successful period in its history," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"He was a product of the youth system and marked himself out from an early age as one of his generation's most natural defenders.

"In his time with us, he certainly became a favourite with the fans for his no-nonsense approach to the game and his infectious personality.

"It's always the hardest of decisions to let loyal servants go. But life moves on and, unquestionably, Wes will get the chance to make a real contribution to Steve Bruce's Sunderland and I'm delighted to be passing him into such good hands.

"Everyone connected with United wishes him a long and happy stay at Sunderland."

Sunderland complete signing of Wes Brown

Sunderland have completed the capture of Wes Brown from Manchester United.

The 31-year old has ended his 15-year relationship with the Red Devils by signing a four-year deal with the Black Cats after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Sunderland initially made a three-player bid for Brown, John O’Shea and Darron Gibson and although that was turned down, the Wearside club have secured the first of the three and are expected to unveil O’Shea in the next 24 hours.

Ferguson plans crunch talks with fringe players this week

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to hold crunch talks with his fringe players this week.

The News of the World says Federico Macheda, Wes Brown, Darron Gibson, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley will all be told where they stand by the Manchester United chief.

Italian striker Macheda spent a frustrating six months on loan at Sampdoria last season but wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford.

The teenager failed to score in Serie A and it is believed United would either be open to offers or may again loan him out, preferably in England.

Brown, Gibson and Evans are all expected to be told they are up for sale, which could add £15million to Fergie's transfer budget.

But Cleverley is poised to be drafted into the first-team squad.

Brown enters Sunderland talks

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is opening talks with Sunderland.

The Mirror says Brown is opening talks with Sunderland about a £4million move – putting pressure on Aston Villa and Everton to join the chase.

After selling Jordan Henderson, Steve Bruce’s club has cash to spend on defender Brown, but David Moyes and Alex McLeish are keen too.

Man Utd prepare swap offer for Southampton winger Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sir Alex Ferguson is eyeing a swap bid for Southampton superkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Daily Star says Ferguson could also be in with a chance of hijacking Arsenal’s bid for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Gunners are favourites to sign the teenager, who made 41 appearances for Saints last season, scoring 10 goals.

But Fergie is ready to step up his ­interest even though they are on the verge of signing Ashley Young from Aston Villa.

Saints manager Nigel Adkins is ­looking to sign at least three players with ­Premier League experience this summer as the club tries to emulate Norwich’s achievements of successive promotions from League One to the top flight.

So he is eager to try to negotiate a ­player or players-plus-cash deal for Chamberlain, who turns 18 in August.

If Ferguson steps up his interest he could offer French winger Gabriel Obertan, 22, or out-of-favour ­defender Wes Brown, also a Sunderland ­target, as part of the deal.

Obertan has failed to make an impact at United since his £3m move from ­Bordeaux in 2009.

Brown, 31, made only four league starts last season and has no future at Old Trafford.

Ferguson tells Brown to find new club

Manchester United are ready to sell defender Wes Brown.

The Mirror says Brown is the first victim of Alex Ferguson's summer Manchester United make-over following a bust-up with the Reds boss.

The long-serving defender has been told to find a new club in the wake of a row with Ferguson.

Brown, 31, fell out with the United manager over a lack of action and has not featured for his hometown club since being subbed at half-time in the 1-0 defeat of Bolton on March 19.

He found himself behind Fabio, Rafael and John O'Shea in the pecking order for a right back spot in the final weeks of the season.

The defender is likely to be a target for Everton and Sunderland, who have shown interest in him in the past.

Tottenham alerted as Man Utd defender Brown puts home on market

Wes Brown could be on the move this summer.

Brown has been linked with a move away, with Sunderland and Tottenham among clubs keen.

The Sun says striker Mario Balotelli is planning to move out from the city centre and his house list includes Brown's pad, which is on the market.

The defender has struggled for form and fitness this season.

Ferguson urged Brown to stay a Devil.

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wes Brown he is a required player.

United have fielded several inquiries about Brown in the transfer window.

But Ferguson said: "He won't be going on loan to anyone.

"Obviously Wes would like more first-team football but my two centre-backs have been fantastic and Rafael has done so well at right-back. It's unfortunate because Wes is such a good defender but I certainly won't be letting him go."

Wes Brown a January target for Premier League clubs

Wes Brown is a January target for Premier League rivals.

The Manchester Evening News says Brown is on the wanted list of a group of Premier League clubs looking to boost their defences this January.

It could mean a temporary or permanent departure from United for the Mancunian.

Potential employers have been monitoring the 31-year-old’s lack of first-team opportunities with the Reds this season.

The Longsight-born player can operate at right-back or central defence and Tottenham, Sunderland, Blackburn, Everton, Birmingham and Newcastle are keeping tabs on him.

Reece Brown is similar to Wes Brown..in terms of style of play

Man Utd youth coach Paul McGuiness says there are similarities between Reece Brown and older brother Wes.

Reece Brown, a defender like Wes, is away with England for the U19 European Championships in France.

“Reece will obviously forever be saddled with the tag of being Wes’ younger brother,” McGuiness said.

“When people see Reece, they see a striking resemblance, both in terms of looks and style of play. He has the same sort of attributes. He’s good in the air, quick and he’s a big lad.

“Reece has been at the club since a very young age, but the start he has made to his professional career has been really good. He has concentrated right from the start, which is a feature we really wanted him to look at."

Brown credits Blanc for influence and love to play with brother at Man Utd

Wes Brown credits new France coach Laurent Blanc for keeping his career on track.

Brown has thanked new France coach Blanc, who had a spell at Old Trafford, for his help along the way.

"He gave me lots of advice when he was at the club, just little things here and there," said Brown.

"He always talked about the different aspects of defending and really helped me with my game."

He admits he'd love the chance to play in the same team as kid brother Reece.

Reece Brown is currently in France with the U19 England team.

Brown told manutd.com: "That would be absolutely brilliant. Even though there’s 12 years between us I really hope we can do it because it would be a great thing for our family.

"Even playing together in a Reserves match would be fantastic. I watch as many of his games as I can – he’s still learning, but hopefully he can keep doing well."