An Exclusive Interview With Wes Brown

Wes Brown is a former professional footballer who played for Manchester United, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Kerala Blasters, making 327 club appearances and earning 23 caps for England, scoring 7 career goals. He spoke exclusively to Best New Bingo Sites on the 24th of June 2025.

Q: What did you make of last season under Ruben Amorim? Did you see the team make any progress after he was appointed?

WB: “It was always going to be a difficult job to take over for any new manager, but especially for someone like Ruben Amorim, who has a clear philosophy and doesn’t deviate from it. You only had to look at his history as a manager to figure out what he was going to bring to Man United, and to be fair to him, he stuck to his guns all season.

“Overall, the team was extremely disappointing, but I don’t think all the blame lies with the manager because at the end of the day, they made it to a European final, so they still had some success despite losing the final. However, United lost 18 times in the league last season, which is just unacceptable. It doesn’t matter who is playing, the injuries they had, both managers and their different styles, 18 losses in 38 games is unacceptable for Man United.

“The players have to step up next season; they have to play better individually and as a team. Amorin will be hoping for a couple more signings in this window, which should help turn the team around. United still have a lot of players on the books, so it would be nice to have a clear-out this summer, which should allow them to make the signings which can allow the club to compete again at the top of the league next season.

“However, that might not happen, and the manager understands that. If it doesn’t happen, he will have a tough task ahead of him again next season. But even with a couple of signings and not many outgoings, I expect Man United to improve drastically next season.”

Q: What were Man United’s main problems that they should look to correct next season?

WB: “Last season, Man United really struggled with consistency. Being consistent over a full season is what the top teams in the league who finish in the Champions League places do. United showed glimpses at times last season that they could compete with top teams, but far too often, these performances were followed up with losses. If United can be more consistent next season, they will be nowhere near where they finished last year.”

Q: Where do you predict Man United to finish next season? How many new signings do they need to turn things around?

WB: “Man United’s target will be very clear next season, and it will be getting back into the Champions League. This might sound crazy, but they will have full belief that they can turn their form around and go toe to toe with the very best in the league, exactly how they did a few times last season.

“When I was playing, our target was always to win the league and a cup, but that is unrealistic for United at the moment, but they will have full belief they can finish in the top four or five places in the league next season. I can’t imagine us finishing anywhere near where we did last season, and I believe they will have a much more successful season next year.”

Q: This is clearly a rebuild project for United under Amorin. How many years do you think it will take United to get back to where they want to be? Up the table and competing in the Champions League.

WB: “I’m not sure on an exact timeline, but United need a few new signings through the door to help boost the squad. They need to have a strong preseason with as few injuries as possible and build some momentum heading into next season, and you’ll be surprised how quickly a few good results at the beginning of the season can transform a squad. The players will be looking for new signings to show something early, which can lift the whole team to perform better and get great results.”

Q: Do you think there’s a limit to what Amorin can do with the team when many individual mistakes cost the team games last season?

WB: “Last season, Man United struggled with concentration and doing the basics at times, which led to individual mistakes, which led to conceding preventable goals and losing winnable games. There’s not a lot the manager can do about that, he can only set the team up for success, and then the players must go out and perform to get positive results.

“At times last season, I think the pressure got to the players. They were playing a new formation and losing games, so the pressure was mounting on them all the time. The expectation of playing for Man United can weigh heavily at times, and the players found that out last season. It is up to the manager in those moments to recognise it and pump the players full of confidence, but if they are losing games, that is hard to do.

“However, they have all that experience now. They can use last season’s tough times to get them through next season’s tough times, so I do expect them to improve next year as a team. However, if the mistakes are still happening regularly, teams will punish you in the Premier League and results will be hard to come by.”

Q: Matheus Cunha has signed for United, and they got it over the line early. What do you make of the signing, and what do you expect him to bring to the table?

WB: “I love this signing. I think Matheus Cunha is the perfect first signing of this window for Man United. He is a big-time player coming to a big-time club, and I think he will only improve on his excellent season last year. I like that the club got it done so early, as that just shows he was desperate to sign for Man United, and they need players like that who are committed to the badge.

“He will bring a much-needed energy to the team, he is confident on the ball, and he isn’t afraid to use his skills and run at defenders. United have missed that kind of directness in recent seasons. United were over-reliant on Bruno Fernandes for the majority of last season, and I think this signing relieves some of the pressure on him. Bruno created a lot of chances last season that went begging, but I think Cunha will help with converting some of those. I hope he gets off to a fast start because I think he is a fantastic player who will thrive on this big stage.”

Q: Man United do have some talented young players in Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo. Do you expect them to be two of the first names on the team sheet next season if they can stay fit?

WB: “Absolutely. I expect Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo to be two of United’s strongest players next season, and I hope they can stay fit all season. I think Kobbie would have been disappointed with how last season went for him, but this year will be different as he will get a full preseason to get himself ready for a long season. I don’t think playing so much at the Euros helped his season last year, but how much he played for England shows how talented he is. He is calm and confident on the ball, and United need more of that to control games.

“If Diallo had stayed fit all season, he would have been my player of the year last season. He plays without fear, and he is really versatile, so he can play wherever the manager needs him. His greatest strength seems to be scoring goals. He scored plenty last season, and that’s what this team needs. United needs players who are confident in front of goal and can convert the chances that the team creates.”

Q: Bryan Mbeumo is clearly in two minds about joining Man United or Spurs. Do you think he would be a good signing for United, and should it be a concern that he is considering other options, and not just committed to signing for Man United?

WB: “No, I am not concerned about interest from other clubs in Bryan Mbuemo one bit. It’s good that other clubs are interested in the same player as you, as it means they are going to be a good signing. Who knows if all the rumours are true with other clubs anyway, it could easily just be his agent making noise to get his player a better deal.

“I think Mbeumo would be a top signing, and I think he has been overlooked until this summer. He has had a great few years in the Premier League and, similar to Cunha, he is Premier League proven, which is what United need. They need players to come in and hit the ground running, perform straight away and get the fans back on side.

“He knows exactly what his game is, and he is brilliant at executing it. I think he would be an amazing signing and a real boost to the squad. I would be really optimistic about next season if they get this one over the line in time for a strong preseason.”

Q: Man United are linked with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martínez. Do you think he is a good goalkeeper, and are you surprised that United are in the market for a keeper?

WB: “I am surprised that United are linked with Emi Martínez, as it doesn’t appear that André Onana is leaving, so that would mean having one expensive goalkeeper on the bench. I know Onana wasn’t the best at times last season, and I’m sure he would be the first to admit that, and I’d be inclined to give him another chance next season.

“But I do think Martínez is a great goalkeeper, and I’ve been impressed with him both for Aston Villa and his country. He is a winner. Man United is always a great destination for winners, and they could do with that kind of mentality in the changing room.

“The manager will have already made up his mind on his keeper for next season, I’d imagine. He will have had a conversation with Onana and depending on how that went will depend on who plays in net for United next season, but I imagine Onana will get another season to prove himself.”

Q: Man United have lots of centre halves. If they are all fit next season, who would be your starting three? What did you make of youngsters Aydan Heaven and Leny Yoro last season?

WB: “I think Aydan Heaven was a great addition to the squad last season. He is a young defender with lots of potential. I thought he stepped into the team really well when he was needed, and he probably wasn’t expecting to get a chance so soon due to injuries. He came into the team with ease and did his job really well, which is all you can ask of a young player. I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops next season.

“Leny Yoro had a very strong first season at United. At times when the team wasn’t playing well or we were conceding goals, he was still putting in top performances, which is great to see from such a young player. He grew into the season, and by the end of it, he had probably been our best centre back across last season. He will only get better and better next season as he gets older, stronger, and adapts to the Premier League.

“If everyone is fit at the beginning of next season, my starting centre backs for United would be Yoro on the right, Lisandro Martínez on the left, and Matthijs de Ligt in the centre. That is our best combination of youth and experience, and some of the older players like Harry Maguire may have to be happy with positions on the bench next season, despite being good at times last season.”

Q: Where should Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho go this summer? Is it important that they keep their heads down and enjoy their football away from Man United? Would you like to see them stay in England?

WB: “They both don’t seem to see eye to eye with the manager, which is a recipe for leaving a football club. Plenty of personalities clash in football, and most people get over them for their careers, but relationships with these players appear difficult at this moment.

“I keep imagining Marcus Rashford returning to Man United and setting the league on fire next season, because that is something I would love to see. Marcus focusing, getting his head down and enjoying his football could be beneficial to United next season. He can score goals, and United are desperate for goals.

“The Sancho situation seems a bit different, but he is a talented player. With the correct attitude, I’m sure he could work his way back in at United, but that seems unlikely, his situation seems a bit deeper. I would love to see both players back firing for United, but if it has to be at another club, then so be it, the players need to enjoy their football.”

Q: United have been linked with many strikers this summer, such as Viktor Gyökeres, Victor Osimhen, and Hugo Ekitike. Do you have a favourite for Man Utd to sign?

WB: “I don’t have a preference. All of these strikers will bring goals, and that’s what United struggled for last season. It is crucial that we sign a good striker as Rasmus Højlund needs competition. Everybody knows he could have scored more goals last season, but maybe some strong competition could help him improve. At times last season, he could’ve done with a few games on the bench, but United had no other alternatives.

“A new striker is top priority for United this summer, and I don’t include Cunha in that. Højlund needs direct competition to kick him into gear. He works really hard, but he has to get over the pressure and score more goals. All the good teams in the Premier League have at least two good strikers, and it seems all the top teams are looking to add players in this area of the pitch this summer. In years gone by, we used to have three or four top strikers in every strong Man United team, and I think this is where the club needs to get back to.”

Q: Rasmus Højlund is seemingly open to moving to Inter Milan – would it be a mistake for United to sell him?

WB: “It would be a mistake for United to sell Højlund. I think he deserves at least another season to rectify his mistakes from last season and to grow as a player. He will have another year’s experience under his belt then, and he is only a young player. I think he has the potential to get much better next season, so I think United should keep him and persevere with him to try and mould him into a top striker.”

Q: Do you think it would be a mistake to let Alejandro Garnacho go to another Premier League club?

WB: “Alejandro Garnacho is a tough decision that the club must make. He is a great talent and is a product of our youth system, but at times, he can be a bit silly, like any young player. Personally, I’d be disappointed to see him go, but if the right offer comes in for him, I can see United accepting it and parting ways with him.

“He is an extremely talented player, and he will have a great career. At times last season, I think it would have helped him to be dropped out the side, on the back of a couple of poor games just to reset, but United didn’t have that luxury due to injuries, which I think compounded into a couple of poor months on the pitch for him.”

Q: Your former club, Sunderland, earned promotion to the Premier League through the playoffs. Some would say they are back where they belong. How pleased were you with them after that result?

WB: “I was so pleased when Sunderland won the playoffs, especially in the fashion they did with some late drama. Everything just seemed to come together for them at the right time this season after going so close over the past few years. They stuck together brilliantly as a team, especially in the playoffs when situations didn’t look all that positive at times, which is a positive sign for next season in the Premier League.

“They have some great young players and a manager who has done really well and seems to understand his team perfectly. They have me on the edge of my seat every time I watch them play. Sunderland have amazing fans; they deserve this promotion and to see their team in the Premier League again. They will have some amazing days next season.

“I would like to see them keep hold of some of the better players. I know a couple have left already, which can’t be helped, but they need as many of the current squad as possible to kick on next season. But what a great achievement last season was, and it will be a season the fans remember forever.”

Q: How do you see Sunderland getting on in the Premier League next season?

WB: “It will be a tough season for Sunderland as it is for every team that gets promoted to the Premier League in the modern era. But I hope they don’t go silly financially. I think it is important to secure stability for the future of the club. I think the squad they have, if they get a few good and experienced players through the door, can survive next season, but that is all the first year in the Premier League is about. Both the fans and the players should keep their expectations low and tough out the first season back in the Premier League.”

Q: What types of players do Sunderland need to sign if they want to survive next season?

WB: “Sunderland need to sign some players with Premier League experience this summer, but not too many players. When I say Premier League experience, I don’t mean older players either. I mean players in their mid-twenties who are coming to the end of their current contracts and are available at a discount, not players at the end of their career looking for a payday.

“It is always best to sign players who are looking to prove something to both themselves and their old club, or people doubting their careers in the Premier League. Players like that are hungry and will do anything they can to drive Sunderland to survival. I think a few clever loans would also be beneficial to bring some extra energy to the squad. You need to have a strong starting eleven, but also have players coming off the bench who can win you a game or defend a lead when you are near the bottom of the table. They’ll have to roll with the punches next season, but I think survival is realistic.”

Q: Who has impressed you most at the FIFA Club World Cup?

WB: “I haven’t watched too much of the tournament, but I have been keeping up with the highlights, and it seems exciting. I think it would be better if the stadiums were full, but I’m sure that will happen as the tournament progresses.

“I do have concerns with the tournament. I think we will see more injuries next season as these top players won’t get much of a break before preseason. Rest in the summer is really important for footballers, so I think Chelsea and Man City are at a disadvantage for next season if they go deep into the tournament. I hope this is not the case with the injuries because the tournament seems to be going well so far, but all players will be wary of injuries ahead of next season and the World Cup next summer.”

Q: Which side do you think will win the FIFA Club World Cup?

WB: “I think the three main contenders are PSG, Man City and Real Madrid. These three teams are three of the powerhouses of European football, so you would expect them to go deep into the tournament. I’d expect PSG to win it based purely on form, as they are the current Champions League holders, but anything can happen in football. The tournament has already thrown up some surprise results, but my prediction is that PSG will win it.”

Q: You experienced the highs and lows of competing at the top of the table and trying to survive at the bottom during your career. What advice would you give to Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland this season to survive? What simple things can keep a team up?

WB: “Survival is all about sticking together. There’s going to be times when you are all arguing among yourselves or you start to doubt the manager, but you must be able to talk it out and move on quickly, or your season can spiral. Pointing fingers rarely helps any situation you find yourselves in, and you must learn to adapt fast. Adapting to a certain style of play or a change in tactics quickly can change the course of a season, and every result matters when you have just been promoted to the Premier League.

“I never got relegated when playing for Sunderland, but there were times and weekends when things weren’t going well that were very hard. Sometimes, as a player, you don’t want to leave your house on a matchday when you have a tough fixture and you’re struggling as a team. You must stick together and fight for every point, every goal, every clean sheet and then hope at the end of the season you have enough points to survive.”

Q: Paul Pogba is coming back into football and is rumoured to be signing for Monaco in France. Are you surprised to see him back in football? How do you see him getting on?

WB: “I’m not surprised at all that he is back, and Paul Pogba returning to football is great for the game. He is an extremely talented player that crowds enjoy watching, so it will be interesting to see how it goes for him. He will just want to play football now. It will have been a tough few years for him, but he will be relieved to be back, and if he does sign for Monaco, I’m sure we will see some great performances from him; he can be a walking highlight reel. I wish him luck getting back into football.”

Q: You played as a centre back during your career. Who do you think are the best centre-backs in the Premier League at the moment?

WB: “The top centre backs in the Premier League at the moment are without a doubt Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba. They are both so strong and excellent defenders one vs one, as well as being brilliant in possession of the ball. They set the standard for the rest of the league.”

A big thank you to Wes Brown for all of these fascinating insights! And on the subject of the FIFA Club World Cup, check out our free Club World Cup bingo cards!