Red View: Boss on Wes reunion, anniversary video, Welbeck, wallpapers and more

SIR ALEX EXTENDS WARM WELCOME The manager is forecasting a good reception for Sunderland's former Reds when they return to Old Trafford on Saturday. Unfortunately, injury has robbed John O'Shea of the chance to share in the acclaim but manager Steve Bruce, Wes Brown, Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley are all expected to be involved. The summer deal to sell O'Shea and Brown to the Black Cats was approved by Sir Alex, who will be guaranteed a rousing welcome himself on the eve of the 25th anniversary of his appointment. "We've had so many ex-players at Sunderland over the last few years, it's been quite interesting," he revealed. "We had Jonny Evans up there, we had Danny Welbeck up there on loan, Phil Bardsley, Kieran Richardson and now Wes and John have joined Brucey. "It's quite a connection. And of course they'll get a good reception at Old Trafford. In Wes Brown and John O'Shea, you couldn't have asked for two more loyal players at United in my time. They were fantastic characters too. It was one of these difficult situations when you're starting to make changes and bring in young players, like Chris Smalling last season and then Phil Jones this summer. The last thing you want to do is have players like Wes and John continually just sitting and watching the games. They're better than that and they deserve to have good careers elsewhere." More: Beckham's debt to Sir Alex | Anderson rated doubtful WELBECK'S BLACK CATS WARNING Danny Welbeck has warned Sunderland there is no room for sentiment in Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter. The England striker thoroughly enjoyed last season's loan spell at the Stadium of Light and is full of admiration for Steve Bruce's Black Cats. The term on Wearside clearly helped develop Welbeck into a player capable of holding down a first-team place at Old Trafford and, although he's looking forward to meeting his former team-mates, his thoughts are solely focused on helping United collect another three points. "I know quite a few of the players, so it'll be good to see them again, but, when it comes down to it, I'll be ruthless," Welbeck insisted. "I just want to win the game. There's no friends out on the pitch. "It was a great club to go to - a massive club and I really enjoyed my time there. The fans were great and I can't thank them enough. I couldn't thank Steve Bruce enough for my time there. He kept playing me week in, week out which was what I needed and he was a great man-manager with me. He was always speaking with me, always giving me advice throughout training and throughout the games as well. He's been a massive part of my career.  "I would say he's definitely the right man for the job. I was there last season and the way things are run is great. It is a family club and I think everyone enjoys themselves there. I couldn't speak much more highly of him." More: Evans eyes Black Cats battle | Sir Alex's fairytale BLOG: SIGHTS SET FORWARD Steve Bartram enjoys first-hand experience of celebrating the manager's remarkable landmark. 'Today's the day, tomorrow's the big day', is among Sir Alex Ferguson's favoured maxims. Rarely has it resonated more, even if this particular Friday was a tad arduous after last night's 25th anniversary dinner. There, at Lancashire County Cricket Club, our unforgettable knight enjoyed a night to remember; a fittingly magnificent occasion conducted away from prying eyes and lenses. There, in a softer spotlight, the boss could fully relax and acknowledge his feat of hauling Manchester United to its feet, dusting it down and sending it on its way to new frontiers. Sir Alex's exclusive take on an incredible tale is the story everybody wants yet, bar last night's exclusive guest list, nobody has. All media - internal and external, domestic and international - have been rebuffed in their requests for the lowdown on how it feels to batten down one of the most pressurised jobs in football for quarter of a century. Which is fair enough. He has a game against Sunderland to prepare for and, as we are all acutely aware, the existing five-point deficit between United and table-topping Manchester City won't diminish without hard work. In the meantime, around him, all bar his most ardent opponents salute the greatest restoration job since Michelangelo touched up the Sistine Chapel. The Manchester United that Alex Ferguson found in 1986 was a club undergoing an identity crisis; divorced from the prestige and romance which first enticed him to the job. Wrongs were righted, the millstone made way for myriad milestones and, moreover, United's identity was reinstated and enhanced. Alex Ferguson was awarded not only a 'Sir' prefix for his troubles, but also entombment in a glory which spans football. He has established a place in the hearts of millions who have never even met him, yet have never lived without him. Most Reds below the age of 30 have no recollection of anybody else helming Manchester United. All the historic United moments synonymous with our own lives are traceable to his perpetual wringing of excellence from his every resource, and the debt felt by Reds across the globe goes beyond the reams of tributes you will read in the coming days. Don't expect Sir Alex to join in the revelry, though. That was shoehorned into his schedule last night. While we thank him for all the yesterdays, he will focus firmly on today and many more tomorrows. The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United. More: Fans pay tribute to Sir Alex | Chicharito's respect for boss | The blog in full   This email was sent by:Manchester United Sir Matt Busby Way Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, United Kingdom. This email is designed to be viewed in HTML email clients - if you cannot see the images above, please open an HTML-compatible email account and then register the new address with ManUtd.com. If this email has been forwarded to you by a friend, please register with ManUtd.com to receive the MU Foundation newsletter directly in future. The articles and images in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United FC. If you do not wish to receive this email please send a blank email from your subscription address to unsubscribe@manutd.co.uk. We are committed to respecting your privacy. Please see our Privacy Policy. 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