Just in case you had any doubts over where Gary Neville would be playing next season, following the media linking him with a move to Middlesbrough, then his comments today, claiming United means as much to him now as they did when he was a kid, should set your mind at ease.
“I played a good number of games last season and I hope that continues next season because playing for this club is as special to me now as it was when I first pulled on the shirt as a schoolboy,” said Neville. “Full-backs have an important role, particularly at United, in terms of the way we attack and the way in which there’s a transition from defence through our full-backs to attack. We have always set up play and been part of the extra man situation and we always play with width. The way you see guys like Patrice Evra and Rafael Da Silva attacking, they are more like wingers who can defend – they aren’t just full-backs any more. The way in which the modern full-back like Rafael, his brother Fabio and Patrice play is fantastic to watch. Before I got injured a couple of years ago you’d say I was running forward nearly all the time during the game. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t do that in the same eye-catching way as they do, but you understand the changes and development if the game and they way I’ve had to adapt.”
