Brown ready to start again
Wes Brown refuses to get downhearted at the way his injury curse returned just as he was starting to fulfil his enormous potential.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always viewed Brown as one of the most natural defenders he has worked with at Manchester United but cruciate operations on both knees, a broken ankle and a host of muscular problems have kept Brown on the sidelines for extended periods.
"Getting injured for most of last season was not very pleasant but I am used to it I suppose," said Brown. "There is no point thinking 'Why me?' I just get on with it and try to be confident. I am fit at the moment. That is the main thing."
In Brown's absence, a number of challengers for the right-back role have emerged, quite apart from Gary Neville's own return to fitness.
Rafael Da Silva came from nowhere to show himself a player of immense promise and then, when the latter stages of the campaign demanded more experience, John O'Shea filled the void so effectively he was one of the first names on Ferguson's team sheet for last season's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
"That is football," shrugged Brown. "I have been out and the lads who came in did tremendously well.
"The squad is very big now and everyone is fighting for positions. That is the way the gaffer likes it. It is healthy and good for the club.
"I just have to try and play well again."
