Injury-plagued Wes Brown is convinced he will feel the benefit of missing England's Euro 2004 campaign when the Barclays Premiership bandwagon cranks back into gear next month.
The unlucky Manchester United star was overlooked by Sven-Goran Eriksson during the summer, even though he ended the season approaching something like top form.
Having missed half the season recovering from a second ruptured cruciate knee ligament and then finding the pace of the game beyond him when he stepped in for the suspended Rio Ferdinand, Brown accepted Sir Alex Ferguson was probably right when he stated his belief that total rest was required during the close season.
So, although he was a frustrated spectator as England made their quarter-final exit at the hands of Portugal, Brown is now ready to reap his reward.
"The extra bit of rest this summer will definitely help me," he said.
"I only played the last four months of the Premiership and obviously if I had gone away to the European Championships with the England squad I would not have had as much time off.
"Instead I have been able to get a proper break and that has settled me down even more."
Competition
The 24-year-old faces extra competition for his place this term following the arrival of '6.9million Argentine Gabriel Heinze from Paris St Germain.
Ferdinand is also due to return on September 20, while the presence of Mikael Silvestre and John O'Shea should also keep the man Ferguson dubbed "the best natural defender he has ever worked with" on his toes.
But Brown is wise enough to know an intense battle for first-team spots should make United a more competitive team.
For the first time in a decade the FA Cup winners will start the campaign as third favourites behind champions Arsenal and a Chelsea side who are again investing heavily under new coach Jose Mourinho.
United face a mouth-watering trip to Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the season, although Brown is not concerning himself with the comings and goings in west London.
The Longsight-born star believes if the Red Devils perform to their capabilities, no-one will stop them.
"Obviously Chelsea have made a couple of good signings and that makes the league a lot better," he said.
"But we have a good team spirit here and we can't be distracted by them. We will just get on with our game and if we do that, everything will be fine."
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This year is going to make or break for Brown. We've only seen glimpses of his talent due to his catalogue of injuries, he needs an injury free season to convince everyone that his legs can take the strain because I fear if he gets 1 more bad injury he could be finished at top level football
Catalouge of errors, he was not injured when he and Bartez where going for the top of the mistakes award.Brown is not good enougth,he will not play much next season with Hienze and Rio.
Catalogue of errors thats Brown he would be better suited to the TVor Films my favourite Alien.He certainly will never be a great at United.
Brown is very overated he lacks concentration like Rio thats why United should get a new young manager who can stand on the touch line and keep them awake.
I don,t think Brown will end up on the world stage also I have doubts about Rio, he cost a lot gets paid a lot,United are entitled to better.
Why has their been so many harsh comments about Wes Brown. The reason his concentration and form is not at its best is because of the amount of injuries he has suffered. I agree that one more bad injury could spell then end for him at Utd. But when Brown gets a concestent run in the side he is as good as any central defender in the country. In 2003 when we won the title he was terrific alongside Rio and Silvestre, and also at right back. Last season his form came good near the end of the season, but he will get better. My personal hope is that for the long-term Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown can forge a central defensive patnership for Utd and England. I will also roote for the Englishmen ahead of foreigners. This is an English team and it should have English players or at least British players. This is one of the reason i would like Rooney to eventually end up at Old Trafford, as he is the best English talent to come out since Gazza. We should be proud that we have the likes of Keane, O'Shea, Miller, Giggs, Fletcher, Scholes, Smith, Ferdinand, Brown, G and P Nevile in our squad. Hopefully we will continue to keep the right blend of Bristish and foreigners in the squad.
The only Partnership to be forged in the defence will be Hienze who is a class above Brown or Rio and young Miller either Rio or Brown will be out the door.
Paul Robison? Miller out the door???? What planet are u on?from??? Miller has just joined Man U and also given the fact that he's a very talented player who could easily embarrass some of his more expensive team-mates. Have u not noticed that Djemba2 and Kleberson after disappointing seasons have been giving a 2nd season to stake their claim. I guarantee you Miller will have more of an impact than both of those lads did last season.
Declan I agree you have misunderstood what I said I said that Miller and Hienze will play great together!as they are both better than Rio or Brown.
Good comments from Richard from Aston - Wes has drawn some totally unwarranted criticism that forgets his achievements during that epic run for the title last year. I also agree about supporting the inclusion of British (and Irish) players - when you compare our team to Arsenal and Chelsea, we have a much higher British contingent of players - this can only be good for the development of British youngsters. Manchester United should be applauded as the only top team seriously supporting the development of young British players.
Wes Brown will need a lot of rest,these footballers have a hard life,Fergie is looking for another miracle like Blanc he has been checking out all the pensioners clubs.He could sign Gascoine!
Paul Robison - since when did Miller play central defence - and in any case how could you know how good he is compared to Rio and Brown given that he has only played a couple of seasons? Rio is, IMO, the best defender in England with excellent positional sense, pace and great ball playing skills - something England missed hugely in the Euro champs. Your comments seem to me to display a lack of footballing knowledge and/or understanding.
Critical comments aimed at Wes Brown seem to be made by people who perhaps see football and don't watch it. Wes Brown and his improvement in performance as he returned from injury (and was thrown in at the deep end) was admirable. I look forward to watching him play next season.
Paul, I like d look of Heinze aswell. He looks a no nonsense sort of player. I hate d way some "fans" seem to think that just because he's not a household name or a
"non-entity" that he's gonna be crap. D whole don't buy South American players doesn't apply to him either as he has been based in Europe for the majority of his career. He reminds me of his compatriot R Ayala but not as hotheaded. Another positive about this season is Giggs wont play upfront which will aid the balance of the team, which at times last season was non existent.
Hienze will make beans of the Arsenal,how must they feel knowing their star player signed for United in 2001 and now wants to leave again.
United fans really amuse me at times. They 've already decided that Heinze is better than Wes Brown yet i wonder how many have actually seen Heinze play at all!! Also, before people rush to criticise Kleberson & Djemba-Djemba, wait for the coming season. You might just suffer from indigestion as you swallow your words. Anyone who knows football can see the quality in Wes, Djemba-Djemba, & Kleberson. Only problem is the opportunities they 'll get to play.