Wes Brown Exclusive

13th August 2025 Fruity king

Wes Brown Exclusive; Thoughts on the Premier League Kick Off, Sesko’s Impact, Liverpool’s Title Chances, and the Summer Transfer Window

Q: What did you make of Benjamin Sesko choosing Man Utd over Newcastle?

WB- “Newcastle are on the up but you’re talking about Man United. This might be a bit biased, but it’s heritage there. There’s a lot of things going on there.

“I think also what helps is the signings before he got there. When you’re looking at Cunha and Mbeumo, obviously Diego Leon is a younger player, but it’s exciting times.

“You’re talking about two guys in Mbeumo and Cunha who’ve already done it in the Premier League. There’s a nice feel to it.

“Obviously Sesko understands he’s going to play. If you can make it as a Premier League striker and do really well you straight away become an international star, it’s as simple as that.

“So it’s a big challenge, but he wanted to come and that’s the main thing.

“He’s got a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he’s a player that looks like he’s had a good few seasons now. You wouldn’t say he’s a young player even though he is.

“He’s had some good experience. He has played some good teams in different competitions and you would say he’s firing and ready to go.”

Q: What do you think will happen with Rasmus Hojlund?

WB- “He’s said he wants to stay and he wants to fight and he wants to play, which I think is absolutely brilliant. The problem is that he won’t get a lot of game time, not at the beginning, especially.

“So it’s going to be difficult, but if he does stay, he’ll still get his chance every now and again. And it’s about producing.

“Hojlund will turn out to be a really good player. But at United, you need to be doing it now on the pitch and we need results, that’s just the way football is. You just need to be doing it.

“So obviously bringing in Sesko will mean he’ll be the new striker up there on his own.

“It’s going to be really difficult for Rasmus because will he get game time, no one knows. It’s not a nice position to be in, especially when you know Rasmus as well. He’s a great lad.He’s young, he’s funny, he’s always giving 100%. You can’t fault that. But football’s football, it doesn’t wait for anyone.

“We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m sure eventually Rasmus will want to play football and if it’s not going to be at Man Utd, it’s his decision to maybe go somewhere else.

“But he’s not the sort of player that gives up.”

Q: Are you concerned about Man Utd’s front three all being new signings?

WB- “They have to all get used to each other pretty quickly. If you look at our first five games, they’re not easy. I don’t think any games are easy, but these are not easy. So you’re just hoping there’s some bond between them early on.

“You could see it a little bit in pre-season. Everyone was pressing, everyone was high, and I do think they’ll come into their own. I think with Cunha and Mbeumo, they’ve been there and done it in the Premier League.

“Cunha’s got a bit of an edge to him. He’s the sort of player that can turn a game. He’ll say ‘Give me the ball, let me try something’.

“Mbeumo has arguably been consistently one of the best players in the Premier League for the last two years. So I don’t think he will have a problem on that right side, especially if Amad is there as well – he was probably one of the best players for United last season. I think that side is looking really well.

“It’s just about knowing each other, where do you want the ball, where’s he going to be?

“I honestly can’t fault the signings. I think it’s exciting. I think it’s something we’ve needed a little bit. I think we really struggled in the final third last season to break down teams when we were on top especially.”

Q: Would you like to have seen them go for Ollie Watkins ahead of Sesko?

“Yeah, maybe, but I do like the fact you’re probably getting one of the best kids in Europe at a good age in Sesko – he’s shown it in Europe.

“Ollie is not old, but he is 29. He’s been doing it in the Premier League, but I think Amorim is looking to the future as well. He’s thinking for the next four or five years Sesko could be top notch. That’s the way the manager’s gone with it.

“But I would have thought if you would have bought Ollie Watkins, these next two years would have been very similar results (to buying Sesko).”

Q: What do you make of Andre Onana and should Man Utd sign a new keeper?

WB- “You want a consistent keeper. We had Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar – unbelievable.

“We also had the keepers in between who were still good keepers – Barthez, Ben Foster – but when you make a mistake and then make another one, it becomes difficult. At such a big club you can’t afford to do that.

“Onana’s got a big, big season ahead of him and whether they get a keeper or not, when he gets his chance, he really has to play well.

“Dead nice lad, but at times last season, like a lot of the players, there were too many mistakes by everyone. And when it’s a keeper, there’s no hiding place. Do you know what I mean? So.. If we don’t sign a keeper and Onana’s there then it’s a big, big, big one for him.”

Q: Would you like to see Man Utd sign Carlos Baleba?

“What a player. I’m surprised no one else has gone in for him. Quick, great left foot, got a lot of stamina. If we got him as well, I think that’d be brilliant. I think it’s an  unbelievable signing if it were to happen.

“ LikeMbeumo, he’s not getting the credit he should have. We always sort of go with the flair players but he has been great. You can see he works a lot – his work rate is fantastic. I know the manager likes that sort of stuff.

“We’ll have to see where that goes. Brighton have been really good and they won’t be giving him away that easy.

“But if the manager’s looking to rebuild, he’d definitely be a great player.”

Q: How do you see Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona move going given they already have Raphinha and Lamine Yamal?

WB- “It’s a challenge. I think everyone knows what Marcus can do. Raphinha was probably the best player last year. Yamal has got so much ability – he’s going to be the one to watch in upcoming future seasons. So it’s a challenge.

“I always think as a player you want these challenges. Barcelona have taken him in. They’re not just signing him for no reason. They believe he’s got something there and he can still do what they want him to do.

“Raphinha went from Leeds to Barcelona and people were unsure. He was arguably their best player last year.

“People step up because it’s a new challenge and they have the ability where they do it. It’s the same challenge for Marcus this year.”

Q: Is Chelsea a good fit for Alejandro Garnacho?

WB- “Whether it’s a good fit for Chelsea I don’t know, but he’s a great player. He played a lot of games for us last season, I don’t fault him for that, but obviously he’s not what the manager wants. Whether they’ve had a fallout or what, it’s not what the manager wants in a player

Garnacho will definitely get a big club, he’s got that ability. He’ll be fighting for his place at Chelsea. There’s a lot of wingers, a lot of attacking players. So it’s an interesting one.

“Chelsea have been doing this now for the last two, three seasons, getting so many players in. But Garnacho will want to play and for whatever reason he doesn’t look like he’s in Ruben’s plans for the future. So it’d be interesting to see what happens there.

“But it’s such a shame as well. Coming through the academy. I know he’s a bit older now but just get your head down and work hard and do as much as you can for the team.

“But listen, everyone’s different.”

Q: Would you be disappointed to see an academy player like Kobbie Mainoo leave Old Trafford?

“Scott McTominay is a prime example – the MVP. Every Man Utd fan is so happy for him. But sometimes people have to move on and go to different teams to do what they need to do.

“Kobbie is absolutely brilliant, an England international. He didn’t play as much as he probably wanted to last year. I’m just hoping it’s more about relationships. It seems like Kobbie has a good relationship with the manager, which is really good. So hopefully the manager is telling him what he wants from Kobbie. That’s all you can do.

“There’s times when I’ve looked at players in training and thought ‘Oh, my God, he’s so good,’ but the manager’s not playing him. Why? He sees something. People say ‘the manager doesn’t like me’. It’s not that at all. It’s the managers asking you to do something and maybe you’re not. That’s all it is.

“Now, can you change that to what the manager wants you to do? I’m hoping those conversations have gone on because there’s no way as a fan you want Kobbie going anywhere.”

Q: Would you like to see Jadon Sancho or Antony stay?

WB- “I don’t think the manager will want Sancho back. There’s obviously been some big disagreements and comments.

“In my day, the manager was the boss. So if the manager said you’re in at nine, you’re in at nine. That doesn’t mean five past nine, it means nine. It’s the same thing.

“You can give people chances, but if they’re not listening then what can you do? Amorim is trying to make a really good squad and everybody has to be on the page. Sometimes some players are not. It’s as simple as that.

Q: Roy Keane says Bruno Fernandes has an attitude problem. What do you make of his temperament as a captain?

“Roy Keane is the best captain. Last season Man Utd weren’t the best, were they?

“Bruno was one of the players that stepped up when he needed to, and there were probably only a few of them – Amad being another one. Bruno does have high standards so he was fairly frustrated, not just with himself, but with everyone in general

“I’ve never really been captain, so being captain is a different thing to me, but a captain is everything – not just on the pitch, I’m talking off it.

“Bruno argues a lot, but I think that’s part of who he is, you know? That’s the way he does things.”

Q: Do you think this will be Bruno Fernandes’ final season at Man Utd if they fail again this year? 

WB- “No, not with the signings that we have made.

“If he wanted to leave now, a big club would pick him up. It’s as simple as that. But I can’t see that. I think he really loves the club.

“He understands where we are. I think he’s old enough to get that. He would have had lots of chats with the manager about what they need going forward and I think he really likes and appreciates that. He’s going to take that on.”

Q: How do you see Man Utd vs Arsenal going on Sunday?

WB- “It’s interesting, very interesting. I’d love Man Utd to win. If we got a draw I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world.

“Even though we’re at home the pressure is on Arsenal a little bit. I’ I’m pretty sure it never used to be like that, but I think it is this year. They’re really looking to push forward for that title. They really need to win that, the stage they are at with the club and the players they have. They’ll be looking to challenge this season.

“We’ve started off the pre-season games well. It’s looking like there’s energy there. So I mean, it wouldn’t surprise the fans, but you might see a bit of a shock result as well.

“2-1 United. I just feel that we will surprise a few people in this first game.”

Q: Do you think the pressure will be straight on Ruben Amorim if Man Utd are beaten on Sunday?

“It sounds bad, but I think the pressure is always on United.

“If we were to get battered and no one shows anything then understandably the pressure should be there.

“But if it’s a good game, a close game, and we just get beat, I don’t think anyone would be too disappointed this early on.

“But at the same time, everyone’s really excited. We’ve obviously signed the three front players so we’re expecting a little bit more in the final third, more creativity. I think we will see that.”

Q: Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta have very different temperaments on the touchline. Which would you have preferred to play under?

WB- “Even though Amorim is more chilled, I’m hoping he’s not if something is going wrong.

“Sir Alex, for instance, if you did something wrong early on, he’d be standing on that sideline giving you that look that you’re going to get the hairdryer.

“But managers react in different ways. Arteta is more emotional, you might physically see more of that. But Amorim knows what’s right and what’s wrong – everyone’s different.

“I had eight managers at Sunderland. They’re all different, I can tell you that. I reacted  better to a manager shouting at me than putting an arm around me. So I was fine in that sense.

“I think the main thing is that the United team – especially the ones that have been with Amorim since the beginning – understand what he wants and it’s as simple as that.”

Q: Should Man Utd have gone in for Alexander Isak?

“He is a great player, but I think he has said he wants to go to Liverpool.

“Players have the power. It’s a killer for Newcastle, I can tell you that. It’ll be a big, big loss if it does happen.

“It’s a tough situation for Newcastle and it’s something they’re going to have to deal with very quickly.

“It’s not what you would want just before you’re going to start a season. But it happens more often than you think.”

Q: Will rival clubs fear Liverpool if they sign Alexander Isak?

WB- “Liverpool will be the team to beat. Simple as that. They’ve got a base, a core of the team that stays the same, and they’ve brought in individuals that will help the team. So they’re the team to beat.

If they get Isak they’re obviously going to be a bigger problem.

“They’re just looking to continue with what they did last year. I don’t mean just in the Premier League but in Europe as well, they’ll want to be fighting there now. They’ll probably feel they have a squad to be able to do that.”

Q: Who do you see winning the title and who is in your top four?

WB- “Liverpool are the team to beat. I think Arsenal will be there. City will be there – although I’m not sure about them as well. And I will probably go for Chelsea.

“If United can sneak in there then everyone’s delighted, I’ll be happy. But United are more focused on being consistent, picking up points that way. I don’t think it can be really bad one season and then absolutely fantastic, it doesn’t work like that.

“It takes time and I think we’ll obviously do a lot better than last year. I still think the aim is to get into the Champions League.”

Who are the three teams you see being relegated?

“The three promoted teams will be the three favourites to go down. Then you’ve got to look at teams that maybe haven’t boosted their squad.

“I honestly think Everton will struggle a little bit although I’m not saying they’re going to go down; signing Jack Grealish will be a big help for them.

“Leeds are the ones that could surprise. I would love to see Sunderland stay up. But in the Premier League it’s not about how good you play, it’s about points.

“We’ve seen how good Ipswich can play but if you’re not scoring goals, it doesn’t really matter. So it’s tough.

“Probably the three that came up (will go back down) if I’m being honest. Bournemouth, maybe could struggle too.”

Q: Are you disappointed that Jobe Bellingham left Sunderland to join Borussia Dortmund?

“I don’t know about disappointed, you always felt that could happen. There’s great links there with the family and what his brother did.

“He was a big part of what happened last year at Sunderland. It would have been nice to see him for one season in the Premier League, but if Dortmund come shouting, what can you do?”

Q: Could you see Jobe joining brother Jude at Real Madrid and surpassing the Nevilles as the ultimate brothers in football?

WB- “He could do. It’s happened before, brothers playing in the same team.

“I don’t think it’s something you think about (at the moment), but if Jobe can get to that sort of level, I’m sure Real Madrid will look at him in the future at some point.

“But I think the first thing is to see if he can establish himself at Dortmund.”

What do you make of Sunderland signing Granit Xhaka? Are you excited or does his disciplinary record worry you?

WB- “I think if you look at the signing as a whole it’s worth it. We need a bit of experience, players that have been here in England before as well.

“Even in training he’ll just be trying to show what he can do and help the team in any way.”

Q: Alexander Mitrovic is being linked with Leeds and Sunderland. Which would you choose?

“I definitely wouldn’t go to Leeds!

“Mitrovic is very experienced. We know what he can be like. A good player, scored some good goals, disciplinary record not as good. But he can hold the ball, bring other players in.

“Is it a gamble? Maybe a little one. But you get that quality in the team.

“If it was the right thing to do at the right price and he could fit in then I don’t see him being a problem.”

Q: Would you like to have seen Jordan Henderson back at Sunderland?

WB- “I’m sure it was talked about. I’m sure he probably had a discussion, but for whatever reason it just didn’t quite fit and I think that’s fair enough. Brentford have been very established now for many years in the Premier League.

“But I’m sure the Sunderland fans would have loved him to come back. Whether it would have been the right fit or not, you don’t know.

“He just didn’t quite work out for whatever reason. But in his heart I’m guessing he would have loved to have done it.”

Q: If you could sign one player for Sunderland this summer, would it be?

Well, if he was available, I’d sign Ayden Heaven from United.

“Amorim put him in some really big games last season and he was able to handle everything.

“Whether or not he starts for United this season, I’m not sure, but he will play games. He has handled everything that’s been thrown at him, and I think he’s been excellent.”

Q: What did you make of the clip between Tom Brady and Wayne Rooney?

“Tom Brady is Tom Brady. But anything negative, it’s not ideal, is it?

“I know Wayne’s always wanted to be a manager. It didn’t go well at Birmingham, they really struggled and that can happen. But because it’s Wayne it gets highlighted.

“I’m sure if an opportunity ever comes again, he would definitely take it. He would try and learn from his mistakes and take that forward.

“Wayne is a great lad and if you’re talking about dedication, there’s not many more dedicated than him.”

Q: Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Al-Nassr contract will see him play beyond his 42nd birthday. Do you see him retiring when that deal expires in 2027?

“The main thing I would say is he loves the game.

“I’m hoping there’s still a little bit of competition there between him and Messi. I put those two on a different pedestal to anyone else. I don’t care who it is.

“Ronaldo could retire at any point, absolutely. He’d be fine. But he still wants to play, still wants to contribute. He still has the buzz and I think that’s the main thing.”

Q: Would you start Ronaldo up front for Portugal at the World Cup?

“I think you can. I honestly think you can. And I think Portugal will.

“He’s got that instinct. He plays a little bit differently now to when he was younger, but if he gets an opportunity, he’s scoring. Simple as that.

“If you have the right players around him then understand he will get more opportunities.”

Q: Did I read that you were training for a boxing fight?

WB- “I’ve always trained. I’ve always boxed since I finished because I have bad knees so I don’t really do running and boxing doesn’t hurt much on your knees.

“I’ve heard that before (about having a boxing fight) and I’m like, ‘No, I’m 45’.

“And when I think about it, I’d probably be a heavyweight now. So no, I’m alright thanks.

“I definitely don’t fancy getting in there with Anthony Joshua. That’s definitely not my sport, but I do like boxing training. I do it quite a lot.”