Thursday, February 2, 2012

Manchester United's North East Connection

Whilst watching the Sunderland FA Cup game at the weekend, the commentator mentioned during the team line up's that Sunderland's entire back four were made up of former Manchester United players (Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Richardson). Now I think that has got to be a first for the Premier League and it got me thinking about other players, (and managers) who have moved to North East clubs from the red side of Manchester in recent years.

Current players who have moved from Manchester United to North East clubs

Kieran Richardson - Sunderland
John O'Shea - Sunderland
Frazier Campbell - Sunderland
Wes Brown - Sunderland
David Bardsley - Sunderland
Danny Welbeck - Sunderland (Loan)
Danny Simpson - Newcastle
Gabriel Obertan - Newcastle

Of course the recent connection is most likely attributed to the fact that before current manager Martin O'Neill came in the team was managed by former Man Utd player Steve Bruce and before that Roy Keane.

However the connection goes further back - to 1994 in fact when England legend Bryan Robson took charge at Middlesbrough. He brought in Viv Anderson (who also used to play for Man Utd in the Eighties), Clayton Blackmore and former Manchester United favourite Gary Pallister.

Other former Manchester United players (and managers) which have moved onto North East clubs over the years (via other clubs) include Paul Ince, Dwight Yorke, Gordon Strachan and Alan Smith.

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