Gary Neville saw out the first half for United in our friendly against Aberdeen yesterday, in a match that we won 2-0.
After making just one appearance for the first team last season, coming on in the second half against Roma in the Champions League, Neville is eager to prove his fitness and fight for his place in the squad.
Whilst a United lad through and through, so overjoyed at last season’s successes by default, he will have been bitterly disappointed that he missed out on lifting the trophies. In Moscow, he celebrated with the players on the pitch, suited up, but his aim next season is to be in the thick of the action, with just one year remaining on his contract.
“I’m into the last year of my contract, so I’ve got to do my best and try to maintain my existence at United because this is the only club I want to play football for,” said Neville. “It’s difficult as regards the future because at the age of 33 or 34 you have to start thinking about what you are going to do once you stop. At that age you feel like you are about to fall off a cliff because there’s nothing you can do to replicate the last 15 years. You have to try to find something. Hopefully I can keep that at bay for two years.”
Neville believes that the progression to management is unavoidable for him, and will follow the many players who have worked under Sir Alex Ferguson in to taking a coaching role.
“I have done my coaching badges in the summer – along with Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,” he added. “But although the two weeks were good fun and hard work, it doesn’t replace actually playing. What it did do was make me think about the fact I hadn’t played for more than 12 months and that I’ve got to make the most of the next season and play for as long as I possibly can.”
Will Neville get his first team place back next season?
I think being at his age he’ll be in the situation where he’ll be rested a lot more than in the past. He will always have the ability to perform in our first team.
The likes of Maldini and Cafu seemed to have lasted forever and I can see the next couple of seasons being used to phase the remaining LEGENDS out. Wes Brown is a centre back and he’s likely to be used in that role when cover is required so that’ll free up space for Nev.
Simpson will hopefully be phased in over that time period, he is the one reserve player who looks totally comfortable in the first team and the way he gets forward is similar to Evra. That balance would be great.
I think whatever happens there will always be a place for Neville at Old Trafford and his passion is an inspiration to everyone. When there was all that talk of Neville being sent to show Ramsey around, where as Wenger flew him abroad… it made me think, and realise that there is not anyone at United who is United through and through, apart from Gary.
…and he hates Scousers!