Manchester United player profile - Darron Gibson

Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson, more widely known as Darron Gibson Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfield footballer, was born on 25 October 1987 in Derry, Northern Ireland. Darron Gibson attended St Columb's College in Derry and played football as a junior in the Derry and District league before moving to Irish Football Association club Institute FC. In 2004 Darron Gibson made his dream move to English Premier League side Manchester United where he made his professional debut on 26 October 2005 as a substitute in a League Cup match against Barnet. For most of the 05/06 season Darron Gibson was a regular in the Manchester United reserve team, he helped them to win a number of trophies and was awarded the 'Jimmy Murphy award' as United's youth player of the year.

Darron Gibson was among a number Manchester United's young players to be loaned to Belgian side Royal Antwerp where he made 33 appearances and scored 1 goal. The following 07/08 season saw Darron Gibson out on loan once again, this time he went to English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers where he remained for most of the season. For the 08/09 season Darron Gibson returned to Manchester United where he made his Premier League debut on 15 November 2008 as a second half substitute against Stoke City. Just ten days later Darron Gibson arrived at another milestone in his career when he appeared in his first UEFA Champions League match again coming on as a substitute this time against Villarreal. His first winners medal for the senior team came in December 08 as part of the Manchester United team that won the 2008 Fifa Club World Cup and Darron Gibson's first senior goal came the following month on 04 January 2009 in a 3-0 FA Cup third round win over Southampton.

Darron Gibson's international career has not been without some controversy due to the 'Good Friday agreement' which allowed Northern Irish citizens to clam either UK and/or Republic of Ireland nationality. As a schoolboy Darron Gibson initially represented Northern Ireland at under 16 level, however, he was dropped after attending trials for Manchester United and subsequently switched allegiance and played for the Republic of Ireland at under 17 level. On August 2007 Darron Gibson made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Denmark. his full debut came a few weeks later on 08 September 2007 in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia which finished 2-2.