A FRIEND of Manchester United soccer star Wes Brown died after being gunned down outside a pub, it emerged today.

Stephen Amos, aged 21, from Longsight, became friends with the England international while playing for Hyde United and later went on to play for Manchester City's youth teams up to the age of 16.

Mr Amos, a locally-known DJ in pubs and clubs in Manchester, died after being shot outside the Bexx pub on Old Cross Street in Ashton. A 25-year-old man was also wounded in the incident, police said.

Murder squad detectives have urged people in the area at the time of the shooting in the early hours of Monday morning to come forward.

Police want to trace a stolen Mitsubishi Space Star spotted with several men in driving the wrong way down a one way street around 1am on Monday.

Detective Supt Kevin Duffy said: "We need to know where this Mitsubishi has been for the past five weeks, has anyone seen it being driven around or parked anywhere?"

Stephen's mother, Linda Barlow, added: "Stephen's death has torn the family apart, we are all totally devastated."

"It is so important that anyone who has any information tells the police what they know, so those people responsible can be brought to justice."

Four men were arrested in connection with the shooting and released on police bail.