Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson felt Darron Gibson was marking time this season before joining Everton.

His old boss believes Gibson regretted not joining Sunderland when he had the chance in the summer and now expects him to do well at Goodison Park.

"It's a good move for Darron," Sir Alex told reporters on Friday. "He has to get on with his career.

"He played some terrific games for us and he has terrific ability, but in terms of the pecking order here he knew he wouldn't be a first-team regular all the time.

"Unfortunately he got an injury earlier in the season which kept him out for ten weeks, but he's fit again and it's a good opportunity for him.

"He missed the chance to go to Sunderland [in the summer] and I think he regretted that. He's taken the opportunity to go to Everton and I think they really need a player like him.

"They're getting a player of good quality who has the experience of playing here. The other players we've sent to Everton, like Tim Howard and Phil Neville, have done fantastically well for them. Hopefully this is another one."