Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admits their clashes this season with Sunderland will take on greater significance.
United have sold defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea to the Black Cats this week.
"I am looking forward to it even more," Rooney said.
"It is always nice to play against former team-mates and hopefully they will be chasing me around.
"It is always sad when your friends and team-mates leave. But you can understand it.
"The two of them didn't get much football last year. They are ambitious and want to be playing every week."
