Manchester United defender Wes Brown will fly home today after the death of his pregnant half-sister at the weekend.
Wes Brown's sister has passed away during pregnancy. Claire Fallows, half-sister of Wes, has passed away at 36 years of age. She leaves behind husband Tom, 36, and three sons aged 16, 13 and one. She was three months pregnant with her fourth child when she collapsed recently. Having had heart problems in the past, she passed away on Saturday. Brown, whose father Bancroft passed away in February, has decided to fly home after a period of indecision. He is said to have been 'stunned' by the news. Manchester United play the Orlando Pirates in the second game of their tour tomorrow. It is unknown whether Brown, 28, will be selected in the squad.
Brown made the decision to cut short his stay in South Africa after a chat with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He took part in the 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates last night in the Vodacom Challenge but will now skip the final match of the tournament in Pretoria on Saturday.
Ferguson said: 'The boy wanted to play and will now go home to take up the family duties. 'It is a very difficult one to advise someone on. Only the person themselves can really make that decision.'
United secured the victory thanks to a goal from Lee Martin, who was on loan at Sheffield United last season. He got the winner in the 23rd minute and goalkeeper Ben Foster then made sure the Pirates remained frustrated with an impressive display. Ferguson believes Foster can go and become England's goalkeeper now he has fully recovered from a knee operation. Foster returned to the team ahead of schedule in March against Derby following surgery. He is now expected to challenge Edwin van der Sar for the jersey in the coming season.
Ferguson said: 'I still believe Ben will be England's goalkeeper for the next few years. We did not expect him to get fit so quickly last season and I did not include him in our European squad. 'When I saw his performance against Derby there was maybe some regret on my part. The ability he has he is going to be challenging for a first team place next season.
That can only be good news for England. 'With an experienced goalkeeper like David James coming back in the squad it tells you there is an opportunity for someone like Ben.' Ferguson confirmed that Van der Sar would be his number one next season. 'It will be difficult for Ben only because he is in competition with one of the best goalkeepers of all time,' said the United boss.
'Edwin is a man of great experience and consistency and has looked after himself so well. 'He can play until he is 40. Ben is 24, so can play for the next 14 to 15 years. There is no need for the boy to panic. His time will come.' Ferguson was pleased with the way his side applied themselves against physical opponents. He said: 'I thought we played well in the first 25 minutes but it sometimes happens to young players, they lose their concentration. 'In the second half when Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes came on we started to get our composure back a little bit. 'But the Pirates played with fantastic aggression. They had speed up front, which caused us bother at times. We were a bit lucky we did not lose a goal.'
Ferguson said: 'The boy wanted to play and will now go home to take up the family duties. 'It is a very difficult one to advise someone on. Only the person themselves can really make that decision.'
United secured the victory thanks to a goal from Lee Martin, who was on loan at Sheffield United last season. He got the winner in the 23rd minute and goalkeeper Ben Foster then made sure the Pirates remained frustrated with an impressive display. Ferguson believes Foster can go and become England's goalkeeper now he has fully recovered from a knee operation. Foster returned to the team ahead of schedule in March against Derby following surgery. He is now expected to challenge Edwin van der Sar for the jersey in the coming season.
Ferguson said: 'I still believe Ben will be England's goalkeeper for the next few years. We did not expect him to get fit so quickly last season and I did not include him in our European squad. 'When I saw his performance against Derby there was maybe some regret on my part. The ability he has he is going to be challenging for a first team place next season.
That can only be good news for England. 'With an experienced goalkeeper like David James coming back in the squad it tells you there is an opportunity for someone like Ben.' Ferguson confirmed that Van der Sar would be his number one next season. 'It will be difficult for Ben only because he is in competition with one of the best goalkeepers of all time,' said the United boss.
'Edwin is a man of great experience and consistency and has looked after himself so well. 'He can play until he is 40. Ben is 24, so can play for the next 14 to 15 years. There is no need for the boy to panic. His time will come.' Ferguson was pleased with the way his side applied themselves against physical opponents. He said: 'I thought we played well in the first 25 minutes but it sometimes happens to young players, they lose their concentration. 'In the second half when Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes came on we started to get our composure back a little bit. 'But the Pirates played with fantastic aggression. They had speed up front, which caused us bother at times. We were a bit lucky we did not lose a goal.'
