28 - Darron Gibson Profile

A former pupil of St Columb's College, Gibson played junior football in the Derry and District League, and then with Institute F.C. before joining Manchester United in 2004. He made his senior debut for United on 26 October 2005 in a League Cup game against Barnet, coming on as a substitute for Lee Martin. During the 2005-06 season he played regularly for Manchester United Reserves, helping them win a treble. He made 19 appearances, scoring twice. In May 2006, he won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Award as United's youth player of the year and then played regularly for the United senior team during their pre-season summer games. Together with Dong Fangzhuo, Jonny Evans, Fraizer Campbell and Danny Simpson, he was one of several United players who spent the 2006-07 season on loan at Royal Antwerp. In October 2007, he was loaned out again, this time to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he spent the majority of the 2007-08 season.

Gibson made his Premier League debut on 15 November 2008, appearing as a second half substitute against Stoke City, before making his UEFA Champions League debut ten days later, coming on as a substitute for Darren Fletcher against Villarreal on 25 November 2008. In December 2008, he travelled with the United squad to the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where, despite not making any appearances, he picked up a winners' medal. On 4 January 2009, Gibson scored his first goal for the club, firing home United's third in a 3–0 victory over Southampton in the FA Cup Third Round. He then got another in the Fifth Round of the competition, scoring United's second goal in a 4–1 win away to Derby County on 15 February 2009, winning the "man of the match" award in the process.

On 1 March 2009, Gibson started in the centre of midfield alongside Paul Scholes against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2009 Football League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, playing the full initial 90 minutes before being replaced by Ryan Giggs at the start of extra time. The match finished goalless at the end of extra time, and United went on to win 4–1 on penalties, granting Gibson the second cup winners' medal of his career.

• Gibson set for Sunderland

  Skysports.com understands Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson.

• Gibson prepared to move

  Sunderland target Darron Gibson has revealed that he is ready to leave Manchester United if he does not start playing more regularly.

• Trapattoni denies Gibson claims

  Giovanni Trapattoni has denied reports he claimed Darron Gibson would have to leave Manchester United to further his international career.

• Fletcher an example to Gibson

  Darron Gibson must now take the Darren Fletcher route to a regular United berth after his two-goal Carling Cup success.

• Gibson extends United contract

  Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has agreed a three-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

• Gibson happy at United

  Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has played down rumours of a summer move to Fulham.