Gary Neville Thread - First choice RB next season

[kyan]

Neville rejects retirement talk

Manchester United captain Gary Neville has denied speculation his injury problems could force him to retire.

The England defender has not played first-team football since last March because of ankle ligament problems and has picked up several niggles too.

Neville, 32, said: "I understand that because I've been out so long there is talk about whether I'll make it back.

"But I'm training again and I'm focused on getting fit. Once I get fit, I've no doubts at all that I'll be OK."

Right-back Neville made a goalscoring return for United last month as he played 45 minutes for the club's reserve side.

But his comeback has been put back several times because of a series of minor injuries problems.

"Ironically my ankle has been OK for the last couple of months," added Neville.

"I've just picked up little knocks here and there that have lasted a couple of weeks or so; they can really set you back when you've been out for so long.

"But I'm doing the best I can to get fit and I won't put a timescale on my return."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Neville rejects retirement talk

We'll have to wait and see, I'm sceptical tbh, it'll probably be a whole year before he actually makes his first appearance for the first team since his injury, and it's never easy to get back to the highest level after so long out, and it's even harder when ur 32...

It's clear he'll give it his all and I hope he makes it back for obvious reasons, but mostly cos we really could do with his experience, leadership and general ability at RB.

[unitedfan]

When you're getting "minor knocks" over and over again it's a bad sign, but it's not a retirement sign. The important thing is that he gets back, without picking up injuries that are likely to be recurring, because recurring injuries are what preceed early(er) retirement.

[dukeofdavinci]

i agree wth both of you, i mean he has been away almost a year now and....the injruy or knocks keep on coming....so is it time??i dont know i hope we dont see another ole, we need gary as much as we needed ole.

at least ole is still here to help out in developing our youths and our 1st team.

[kyan]

Neville Won't Rush Return

Manchester United veteran Gary Neville has hinted that it might not be until next season until he makes a full return to the first team.

The fact that he has successfully particapated in three reserve team matches in recent weeks suggested that his year long absence was about to end, but the vulnerability of his ankle combined with the intense requirements of the business end of the campaign has Neville operating cautiously.

“I’ve played three times for the reserves since the turn of the year and this is the longest run I’ve been on in terms of training and playing games,” he said.

“It’s going to take time for me to get back to full match sharpness after being out for so long. I’m probably a little bit away from first-team sharpness but the only way I’ll get that is by continuing to train with the first team.

Neville, who has made over 500 appearances for he Red Devils, sustained damage to his ankle ligaments just 11 minutes into United's match against Bolton at Old Trafford a year ago this weekend.

Goal.com - Manchester United - Neville Won't Rush Return

Caution is essential, but it's hard to think he's going to have missed literally the entire season, what a waste...

[dukeofdavinci]

better take it easy and safe, yes he missed a year of football but if he can come in clean for next season i bet it could pro long his career another year or so and that alone will make the time he missed this season.

[Mr Brightside]

Right Back is looking like a problem area for us.

If Wes leaves and Gaz doesn't recover properly, we are looking at Danny Simpson, John O'Shea, Johnny Evans or buying Bosingwa.

I personally think that Wes deserves his place, even when Gaz gets fit, but he and his agent are holding us to ransom over his contract demands, so we might need to let him go.

But it'll be great to see Gaz back in the United shirt.

[kyan]

Neville returns to Man Utd squad

Gary Neville is back in Manchester United's squad for the first time in 13 months for the visit to Middlesbrough.

The 33-year-old club captain has recovered from a long-standing ankle problem and played 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday against Newcastle.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It has been a long road back for Gary.

"It is not easy at his age but his enthusiasm for the game and his determination to get back gives you the most encouragement about him."

Ferguson added: "I think he will figure in some games this season. His personality and experience will help us. I think he will figure in some games."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Neville returns to Man Utd squad

Massive boost with Vidic out for the next 2 to 3 weeks, I doubt he'll start v Boro or Roma but I wouldn't be surprised to see him come on and work his way back to fitness so he's ready for the last few games of the season.

[dukeofdavinci]

yep its official he will be traveling wth the squad.lets see if he plays.tough i was kind feeling sad giggs has to hand over the captaincy back lol(im a die hard giggs fan )

[YoungCapo]

Official now.

[Mr Brightside]

Gaz is back. Wes has signed again.

Good times...........

[kyan]

Ferguson reassures Neville

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Gary Neville that he will go into next season as first-choice right-back.

The England star has been on the sidelines with a succession of injuries since March 2007 and, while he made a comeback last month as a substitute in the UEFA Champions League second leg against Roma, Wes Brown has held onto the right-back position in subsequent games.

But Ferguson insists that, despite plans to add to his squad over the summer, the 33-year-old still has a major role to play at Old Trafford.

"He will play next year," he told the Mail on Sunday. "He will start the season at right-back, I'm sure of that.

"He has been doing well training-wise and I would have played him in the last few weeks if he had had games behind him, but he has been out for more than a year."

Paul Scholes, 33, and Ryan Giggs, 34, are also approaching the end of their careers, but Ferguson wants to use that to the team's advantage over the next two seasons.

"Their experience will be utilised very well in the next couple of years. Those three give you that spiritual and experience factor which is important.

"By the time they go, other players will replace them to keep the continuity of experience and youth."

Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Ferguson reassures Neville

[dukeofdavinci]

counting the minutes before welcoming back our skipper.