Last updated on .From the section Football

Former Manchester United and England defender Brian Greenhoff has died suddenly at the age of 60.

Greenhoff was a member of the United team which beat Liverpool 2-1 in the 1977 FA Cup final, before moving to Leeds United for £350,000 in 1979.

In total, he made 271 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring 17 goals, and won 18 caps for England.

quote He went to Leeds for £350,000, which was a lot of money back then Lou Macari Former Greenhoff team-mate

Born in Barnsley, Greenhoff, who served the Reds for six years from 1973, also played and coached at Rochdale.

Greenhoff won a second division winners' medal with United in 1975 and played in the same team as his brother, Jimmy, who joined the Reds in 1976.

The grandfather of three died at his home in Norden, near Rochdale, on Wednesday.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the matter has been passed to the local coroner.

His former Manchester United team-mate Lou Macari told BBC Radio Manchester he was shocked by the news.

"We had no news that Brian had been ill," said Macari.

"Brian loved playing for United, it was a dream come true for him.

"His only aim was to keep playing for United as long as he could and he was a true servant.

Brian Greenhoff and England Caps: 18 Starts: 15 Debut: v Wales 8 May, 1976 Last cap: v Australia 31 May, 1980

"I was only looking at pictures of us winning the FA Cup final the other day. He was jumping around all over the place and was as happy as Larry.

"He went to Leeds for £350,000 which was a lot of money back then. That shows you what a good player he was."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly after 9.30am today, police were called to an address in Norden following a report of a sudden death.

"Officers attended and found that a man, believed to be 60, died suddenly.

"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and the matter has been referred to the coroner."