Ten things you never knew about United wonderkid Darron Gibson
1) Darron's nickname, gifted to him by his uncle, is The Derry Pele
2) Despite being born in the North and appearing at Under-16 level for Northern Ireland, Darron took advantage of a Fifa ruling which says players born there have the "birthright" to represent the Republic. He now five international caps, the most recent coming as a sub in the controversial play-off in Paris.
3) Gibson's ancestry has inspired the chant, "He's young, he's Red, he talks like Father Ted". Not entirely original, but Liverpool don't need it for Robbie Keane any more, do they?
4) Darron attended Catholic boys' school St Columb's College - the alma mater of Martin O'Neill, poet Seamus Heaney and Things Will ONly Get Better hitmaker Peter Cunnah of D:Ream.
5) Darron was spotted by United scouts while playing for County Londonderry Juniors in a Northern Ireland youth tournament in 2002. He returned to win the Cup with United last year .
6) Gibson went on to loan spells at Royal Antwerp - alongside Jonny Evans and Frazier Campbell - and Wolves before making his Unitd debut against Stoke in November last year.
7) After scoring a 25-yarder against Hull in the final Premier League game of last season, Gibson picked up a groin injury which has hampered his chances this season. Hence United reserve team coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer referring to him as "like a Ferrari, but we just need to get him out of the garage".
8) Highly rated for his passing, work rate and long-range goals, Gibson has been called "the new Paul Scholes" but says on Facebook: "Don't compare me with him. He is a legend."
9) Gibson believes Westlife are the best band ever and likes to eat "lots of crisps" .
10) Clearly, his parents can't spell Darren.
10@10: You'll never win anything with kids - Fergie's top 10 Manchester United academy graduates
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
Column
Reflecting, reading and not being Redknapp: Hodgson is under fire over the three Rs
Oliver Holt 22:30 01/05/12In the circumstances, Roy Hodgson did pretty well when he was introduced to the media as the new Eng... Read More+
