Wes Brown took time out from his
pre-season work during the North America tour to answer questions
from ManUtd.com readers...
How did you spend your summer break? - Richie
Kelly
I had about seven weeks off and had a good rest. I visited a few
different countries – Morocco, Spain and Tenerife and I also went
to Sheasy’s wedding in Dublin which was great. It’s the most time
I’ve ever had off but during the last week I was just desperate to
get back to Carrington and get going again.
Having not featured for England at the World Cup, do you
look back on your exclusion with regret or relief given England’s
disappointing performance? - Christopher Wright
Even if I’d have got picked I don’t think I would have played.
We’ve got the players to do well, but we just didn’t get going and
it was a very disappointing tournament for us. We played well in
the qualifiers, but it didn’t happen in South Africa. We’ve just
got to try and get going again when we next meet up.
What are your views on video technology (i.e. goal-line
technology) in football? Do most players think it should be
introduced? - Nick Kelly
I think it’s got to be brought in for the goal line. I was as
disappointed as everyone else when I saw Frank’s [Lampard] effort
disallowed against Germany. The ball was so far over it was
incredible. It would only take a few seconds to check whether the
ball had gone over. It works well in tennis and I think it would be
a great addition to our game.
How important is the pre-season tour when it comes to
shaping things for the season that ahead? - Oliver
Edwards
It’s very important because it sets us up for the start of the
campaign. It’s hard work, but coming to America is brilliant. The
weather is good and we’re visiting some great cities. It’s not as
hectic as some places we travel to and things are a little but more
relaxed because not a lot of people recognise us out here so we’re
able to go for a wander and do a bit of shopping!
Could America become a force to be reckoned with in world
football? - Richard Sumner
I’ve been very impressed by them and they look like they’re
getting stronger and stronger. Soccer is getting bigger all the
time in the States and so many kids are playing the game now that
it can only continue to become more popular.
What have you made of new signing Chris Smalling so far?
What sort of a defender is he? - George Wadsley
Chris is a great lad and he’s fitted in brilliantly. He’s been
training really well – he looks very fit and sharp and I’m sure
he’ll be ready and raring to go for the start of the
season.
When the fixtures are announced, what’s the first game you
look for? - Juan Treminio
There are a few – City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, but for
me City is the big one, then I’d say Liverpool then Chelsea. This
year I was looking out for the games against Blackpool as well –
they should be great to play in.
Last season the top terrace tune was all about Wes Brown
being the hardest man in all the town. What did you make of the
song? And how did Nemanja feel about you taking the
hard-man tag? - Andrew Kilduff
[Laughs] The funny thing was the fans first started singing it
when I wasn’t playing! It’s a great song and it’s always nice when
the supporters sing your name. Vida’s got no problems with it – he
knows I’m a local lad, but I don’t know about me being the hardest
man in town!
When are you going to bring back your Afro? What can we
expect, hair-wise, from you this season? - Claire
Heffer
I’m going for the skinhead look this season – a No.1 all over!
I’m not doing anything else with it so the Afro won’t be coming
back am afraid.
Who are the best players you’ve played with, and the
toughest opponent you’ve faced? - Jamie Ward
The best players I’ve played with would have to be Giggsy,
Scholesy, Ronaldo, Wayne, Yorke and Coley – the list goes on.
Toughest opponent has to be Zidane. I remember marking him when he
was at Real Madrid and I honestly don’t think I touched the ball!
He was an incredible player. Messi is another. I’ll always remember
playing against him in the Champions League semi-final [in 2008].
There was so much riding on both games, particularly the one at Old
Trafford. It was a tough night and we really had to defend well,
but it was also a pleasure to play against a player like
him.
How do you manage to stay so calm during the games? You
never complain to the referees, you never get into fights with
other players... I admire it, but I can’t understand it! -
Simon Soltan-Zadeh
That’s just how I fired up inside and if the ball is there to
be won I’ll put everything into the tackle. Otherwise though I’m
just happy to get on with things and do my best for the
team.
What advice would you give to young footballers who suffer
long-term injuries? How do you keep mustering the mental strength
to come back? - Craig Attwood
You’ve got to keep you head up and stay positive and it’s very
important to listen to what the medical team tell you. I’ve always
tried to keep positive whenever I’ve been injured and never
contemplated not coming back. You’ve just got to follow the advice
of the physios, work hard and do your best to get yourself fit
again.
Do you think you’ll ever get the chance to play for United
alongside your brother, Reece? What would that mean to
you? - Michael John Allen
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.
What is the fondest memory of your football
career? - Andrew Hanssen
My debut [against Leeds in May 1999] and the 1999 and 2008
Champions League finals. The first final was unbelievable in terms
of how we won it and winning the Treble, but to actually play in
the final in 2008 and win it was fantastic.
What do you remember about your first football
boots? - Hardik Jaisingh
[Pauses] I played am and the way I’ve always played. It doesn’t
mean I’m not getting football from a really young age, but I didn’t
actually get my first pair of proper boots until I was about nine
when I started playing Sunday League football. I think they were a
pair of Dunlops!
Who’s the worst dressed member of the team? - Adan
Mezzino
That’s an easy one – Tomasz Kuszczak by a mile! A lot of his
clothes have been hung up in the dressing rooms on many
occasions.
Who, besides Sir Alex, has offered the best guidance to you
throughout your career at United? - Abdullah Adam
There have been quite a few people, but one that sticks out is
Laurent Blanc. He gave me lots of advice when he was at the club,
just little things here and there. He always talked about the
different aspects of defending and really helped me with my
game.
A few of the lads are doing their coaching badges. Are you
one of them? Do you have any desire to go into coaching when you
retire? - Mark Heaton
No, I’m not doing them. I thought about it but I’m happy to
concentrate on playing at the moment. I haven’t thought about what
I’ll do after I finish playing and at the moment coaching isn’t
something I think I’ll go into. But you never
know.
Players often swap shirts at the final whistle. Do you keep
the shirts and which ones do you treasure most? - Darren
Johnson
I never really end up swapping shirts, but I have managed to
pick up a few over the years. My favourite is probably the one I
got from Zidane. As I said before he was an unbelievable
player.
Who’s your favourite footballer of all
time? - Lisa Thomas
It’s going to sound daft this but I’d have to say Giggsy. Of
course, you’ve got the likes of Maradona and Pele who were
world-class players, but for me it’s Giggsy. His overall game and
his achievements are just incredible. You get one-offs every now
and again and he’s certainly one of them. To have performed
consistently well at the top level for such a long time and stayed
with one team is amazing. It’s difficult to think of anyone else
like Ryan; Sir Bobby [Charlton] is probably the only other player
to compare with Giggsy.