But the 25-year-old – who helped Sunderland win the Championship during a loan spell in 2007 – insists there will be no love lost at the Stadium of Shite on Sunday.
Danny Simpson: “I still have a few friends there, and a few from Man United who play there.
“When it comes to the game, that goes out of the window. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against – you just want to win.
“For 90 minutes they become the enemy, and you’re friends again afterwards. Hopefully, we’ll get a result.
“It’s a special game – it’s electric.
“It’s an unreal atmosphere, and how much it means to everyone.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in a few, and we’ve won a couple.”