Sunderland eye O’Shea and Gibson in £12 million Old Trafford raid

Irish internationals John O’Shea and Darron Gibson could be on their way out of Manchester United if a triple swoop from Sunderland proves successful.

The Black Cats are also looking to secure the signing of defender Wes Brown, who started the Champions League Final against Chelsea in 2008, but has been a virtual ghost at Old Trafford in recent seasons.

Having raked in £13 million and flaky striker David N’Gog from Liverpool in exchange for Jordan Henderson, the Black Cats have money to spend and manager Steve Bruce is eager to strengthen a squad that started last season brilliantly before suffering an alarming drop in form that ended up in a relegation fight.

The club are said to have lodged a bid in the region of £12 million for the trio, an offer that is being seriously considered by United chiefs in what is likely to be a summer of transition at Old Trafford.

Although Brown and the free-shooting Gibson are far from first team regulars and will hardly be missed by United fans, ‘Long John’ O’Shea is a trusted lieutenant of Sir Alex Ferguson’s and has been heavily involved in their multiple successes over the last decade.

O’Shea has just turned 30, however, and with the Da Silva twins, Chris Smalling and new signing Phil Jones likely to be pushing for first-team places, his opportunities at Old Trafford may become limited.

United are thought to be open to allowing the trio – who all came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford – move on and the players will decide on their future in the coming days.