Pair are the perfect pro's

Dependable, loyal players don't often hit the headlines in these days of flashy foreign imports and agent-driven transfer-seeking stories.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea will receive their share of column inches in the newspapers but not as much as the sagas dragging out on the back pages with fans eagerly anticipating the next big name to be linked with United and the other top clubs.

But all those at Old Trafford truly recognise the contribution of the two defenders to the sustained success under Sir Alex Ferguson and their willingness to accept the squad system that has reaped dividends over the years. There was an understanding of the bigger picture and the need to put the team first which allows the boss to pull off the balancing act of challenging for trophies on all fronts.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall 'tabloid blasts' from either of the pair when they have been left out of big matches or failed to hold down a regular place in the side. It must have hurt Brown, in particular, when he was used so sparingly last term due largely to the emergence of Chris Smalling and development of the twins, but he didn't whinge about it.

Indeed, handed a start against Crawley in the FA Cup as captain in February, his first since mid-November, Wes responded by scoring the winning goal. O'Shea was also handed the armband for the Champions League semi-final second leg slaughter of Schalke and described it as the highlight of his season.

The loyal pair deserve fond farewells from the United fans. Some critics on message boards and social networks may have complained when seeing the names of Brown and O'Shea on the team-sheet but these people fail to appreciate the value the players provided. When O'Shea anchored a makeshift midfield against Arsenal in the FA Cup, the naysayers were up in arms but he played his part in striking a significant psychological blow to the Gunners.

Yet, in this period of change at the club, my personal thoughts drift further back than last season when recalling the moments that stick with me regarding Sunderland's new signings.

I first watched Brown live in the FA Youth Cup at Watford and remember telling my father afterwards that he and defensive partner John Curtis would 'make it' in Manchester. I can still see in my mind's eye Brown making a mug out of Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on his Premiership bow and being reassured that Sir Alex had some centre-back on his hands.

Another vivid memory of Wes came from close quarters at Villa Park, as he made a comeback after his latest long spell on the sidelines due to injury. A 40-60 challenge quickly materialised and you could almost sense a natural twinge of self-doubt before he launched into a ferocious tackle that former Reds boss Ron Atkinson might like to call a 'reducer'. It spoke bucketloads about his character.

O'Shea's magical moments are obvious - the last-gasp winner at Anfield, the sublime lofted finish at Arsenal, nutmegging Luis Figo and terrorising Newcastle at St James' Park from left-back. His versatility was so important, keeping a clean sheet at Spurs when donning the gloves and coming on as centre-forward against Reading to emphasise the fact that he is the ultimate squad player.

Some fans will crave big-money signings and glamorous names but it's players like Brown and O'Shea who have proved so vital to ensuring United have enjoyed regular success. I wish them the very best at Sunderland, a fine, proud club, and know the Stadium of Light faithful will surely afford them the support and adulation they deserve.

It's good business for Steve Bruce and the players can look forward to regular first-team football. There's a real end-of-era feeling thanks to Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, O'Shea and Brown all departing, but the next wave of senior professionals are already firmly established as Sir Alex expertly ensures his squad evolves and adapts to the changes.

And at least Ryan Giggs is still around to keep the ties with the past still firmly alive and others will no doubt step up to the plate to cement their own place in United's history.