By Dan Salisbury-Jones.
No one will have been happier with Manchester United’s victory over Liverpool at the weekend, than club captain Gary Neville. He will surely be further buoyed this week with rumours he may be offered a new contract to keep him at Manchester United until the end of next season. According to the Mirror, the veteran defender will be offered the extension in the Summer with quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson singing his praises.
“I can certainly see Gary playing on next season. He’s a player of great willpower. He’s got where he is in life because he has the will to do it. We don’t play him every week because of the nature of his body. But he’s showing incredible drive for a 35-year-old. I think he’s a great example.” Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sentiments I have to agree with, my recent match reports have all included praise for Neville, who is certainly going through a renaissance after overcoming his injury woes.
The Manchester United captain has been dogged by injuries in recent years and it was only a month or two ago that most reds would have quietly thought his days were numbered. The Bury born right back though, has shown incredible determination to overcome his problems.
In recent weeks he has been solid, as well as an attacking threat, highlighted by his pinpoint cross for Wayne Rooney to open the scoring against Milan at Old Trafford, two weeks ago. He also nullified the threat of Brazilian Ronaldinho, who played on the left wing that night for a toothless Milan.
Sir Alex Ferguson seems to have seen enough evidence to suggest there’s more to come from the twilight of Neville’s career for Manchester United. For a truly heroic return though, perhaps it is up to Fabio Capello to give him a chance this summer. Amidst injury problems for team mate Wes Brown and Liverpool man Glenn Johnson, Neville could be set for the most unlikely of returns to the realm of international football.
There are plenty of questions still to be answered though, will his lack of pace be exposed by a pacey winger? Will he really stay injury free for the rest of this season and then a World Cup? Will he even accept a contract extension? Fellow veteran Paul Scholes is deciding his future in the summer also.
Please leave your comments below regarding the past, present and future of the captain’s most glittering of careers.
