A perennial quiet achiever, Wes Brown finally stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight during 2007/08.

United fans have long recognised Brown's worth as a versatile, no-nonsense defender, but a long-term injury to Gary Neville in March 2006 handed Wes the opportunity to establish himself as a key ingredient in Sir Alex's miserly back four.

So good were Brown's performances, he played in more matches than any other player on the road to winning the Barclays Premier League and Champions League double. That's some achievement, especially when you consider Brown's historic run of bad luck.

Two cases of damaged knee ligaments and a broken ankle have hampered the defender to the extent that he only passed the 200-appearance mark in January 2006, eight years after making his debut. However, there's never been any question over his ability. Tough-tackling, strong in the air and fast on the deck, Wes is one of England's finest defenders.

A local lad, born in Longsight, Brown signed as a trainee in July 1996, putting pen to paper on professional forms four months later. In his first full season he picked up the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. His promise earned him a senior debut against

Leeds United on 4 May 1998, and a first start against Barnsley a week later.

His performances in 1998/99 caught the eye, but knee-ligament injuries ahead of the 1999/00 season and at the end of the 2002/03 campaign were bookends to a broken ankle in August 2002. Many players might have been demoralised by such wretched luck, but Brown’s grit saw him return in September 2003 and complete the rest of the 2003/04 season.

In 2005/06 he became a linchpin in the centre of defence; his no-nonsense style perfectly complimented Rio Ferdinand’s more languid approach. Opportunities were somewhat limited

during the 2006/07 campaign, as Nemanja Vidic forged an almost telepathic relationship alongside Ferdinand in the heart of the defence. Still, Wes took his opportunities when they arose and, as the season climaxed, he passed the 250-appearance mark and claimed his fourth league winners' medal.

He signed a new four-year deal in April 2008 and is looking forward to challenging for more silverware in the future.

"To be part of a team I have supported all my life is a great honour," Brown said. "I can see this team winning many trophies and it will be great to share in that success."