Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown (born 13 October 1979 in Longsight, Manchester) is an English football player who plays as a defender for Manchester United.
Brown began his serious football career as a schoolboy playing for the Burnage High School and Fletcher Moss Rangers a Greater Manchester youth side, and was a former student of the FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall, as well as spending time at Manchester United's football Academy, which he joined at the age of 12. Brown showed talent and maturity at an early age, signing full professional terms with boyhood club Manchester United on 4 November 1996 at the age of 17.
Brown went on to success with the reserve and youth sides, winning the FA Youth Cup and a Lancashire Division One medal with the reserves. He also added a Denzil Haroun Young Player of the Year award to his collection.
On 4 May 1998, Brown made his full first team Premiership debut against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute. His breakthrough would occur the next year, the 1998-99 season, where he made several first-team appearances at right-back as well as his more natural position of centre-back. The season could not have gone any better for Brown, as United captured the legendary treble.
Brown suffered the first of what would be a string of injures while training for the 1999-2000 campaign. As a result, he did not play a single competitive game all season, while United went on to seal their sixth Premier League title in eight seasons.
His strong comeback the following year prompted praise from all corners, with club manager Sir Alex Ferguson making waves by proclaiming Brown to be Manchester United's most talented defender.
A fine 2000-01 campaign was followed by another solid year in 2001-02. His reputation grew even greater during the 2002-03 season, but again, his performances were marred by injury. Brown tore a knee ligament on the final day of the season, and did not return until midway through the 2003-04 season. Brown finished the season in good form, notably giving an imperious, man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup semi-final win over Arsenal. It was after this fine display that Ferguson re-iterated his belief that Brown is "the best natural defender" in England. Respected pundit Alan Hansen concurred, calling Brown "a class act." Despite this, Brown was not able to translate his form into a place in the England Euro 2004 squad.
After nearly 3 years without scoring a Premier League goal for United, Brown scored on 23 March 2008 against Liverpool, the first in a 3 – 0 win.
After initially rejecting a new contract offer in December 2007, Brown signed a new five-year contract along with fellow defender Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Michael Carrick in April 2008, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2013 and ended any transfer speculation.
Brown was given a place on the England 2002 FIFA World Cup squad.
Wes Brown performed consistently well in the 2005-2006 season which led to his recall to the England squad for the friendly game against Uruguay. Although he played no part in this fixture he hoped to make it into the final England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he was not selected.
He was once again recalled to the England squad by coach Steve McClaren, and played in defeat of Andorra in the 2008 European Cup qualifiers on 2 September, partnering John Terry at the heart of the England defence, in place of injured Manchester United team mate Rio Ferdinand. He replaced Terry in a friendly against Brazil on 1 June 2007, however he slipped up with his first touch of the ball, and nearly scored an own goal.
Fabio Capello has named him as a starter in both of his games in charge of the England team so far, against Switzerland and France.
Brown scored his first goal in a friendly against Czech Republic on August 20 at Wembley.He stole in front of a defender to head in a David Beckham corner.
Brown's father, Bancroft Brown, died in February 2008. His half-sister, Claire Fallows, who was three months pregnant and had a history of heart problems and died on 19 July 2008.
Brown's younger brother, Reece, currently plays for the Manchester United Academy side, having signed for the club at the age of 9.
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