I can't wait for the Nev to be fit and ready. His calming influence and all round play surpass that of any of the stand in's.

This doesn't sound good at all.

When he first got injured last season, we were told several weeks at first.

Then, several months. Couple more months. Another injury. Few weeks.

Now another delay. What's going on?

The longer he's out, the harder he's going to find it to get back in. I don't see either Wes or Pique as replacements and Bardsley seems to have gone backwards, but Danny Simpson looks a real prospect - absolutely nerveless against Wigan. I hope Fergie persists with him and if he shapes up well, I think Gary Neville could have a battle on his hands - at 32, you'd have to say that time is against him anyway.

The time has come to seriously start looking at a long-term successor to Gary. His recent injury record does not fill me with confidence that he will be a first team regular again.
We now have a few months to see how Danny Simpson adapts and if he has the potential to take over "one day" from Gary. If he doesn't we need to start identifying targets to aquire either in January or in the summer.
Top of my list would be Daniel Alves - if we do decide to go for him it will have to be sooner rather than later, since Madrid and Chavski are after him big-time...
Any other potential candidates?

Andy, spot on. Although the 24th. isn't that far away, Simpson needs a run.

Neville is really struggling apparently Andy Cooper. He just cannot get fit and is painfully off the pace in training. I can see a ruthless Fergie sale next summer and a massive move for Richards?

give him the golden handshake .we don,t need him.

I hate to say it but Neville may be finished due to this injury. I thought he had a superb season until the injury struck. I hope I am wrong and he comes back, he still has a lot to offer.

I think nevs got a problem,and a big one at that.Every time a date is pencilled in it changes as crunch time approaches.This is now about the 4th time his return date has been changed.Is it possible for the medical team to continually make these type of mistakes when dealing with such a high profile player?for me the answer is no.We need nev in the team but the nev that we all know,not a half baked version,that will do himself and the team no good.

Simpson had a stormer against wigan but how many players have had top debuts before plummeting,its that unknown quantity that comes into play.Im not saying that he isnt going to be a top player,just a word of caution not to expect too much from the kid so early.
Someone before mentoned richards and a fergie harassment episode round the corner,what a player he would be here but I cant see it happening.City are nolonger scraping the barrel in terms of finances so it would take something explosive to grab him bearing in mind that their our neighbours.For me not a chance.

No wonder he's struggling, if he's got cruciate ligaments in his ankle!

this will probably be one og Nev's biggest challenges to come back, but i for one would not question his determination or application!! A bigger question may be his pace on coming back. Althou never a speed king, he was deceptavely quick over a short distance whn needing to get 'there', get that tackle in!! If hes lost that it will really be haed for him. But agree for the club to move on SAF knows he must seriously and dispationately assess the rb position, but don't see why Wes can't improve if allowed to flourish in ONE position??

Wouldn't have made any sense to pencil in a United player coming back from such injuries against the Scousers, of all teams. I fear for Neville and Hargreaves, I really do. Hargreaves has to get some sort of fitness together this season (before other clubs cotton on to the fact that he's permanently crocked) and Neville's worrying me like anything. I see a couple of players being sold next summer.

All the more reason to hang onto the likes of Pique and Simpson rather than loan them out.

This is appalling, but to me, totally expected. The spin doctors at Utd played this injury down from day 1. Neville is a ledge, the greatest right back of his generation. His commitment, quality and consistency has rarely been bettered. But I'm never one to shirk an issue, Nevs days are numbered. Getting older and incresingly injured, we can't hide from that. We must sign a world class right back in summer. A centre forward, of course, but mark my words: if an adequate replacement for Nev isn't found, we will be in trouble. World class right backs don't grow on trees. Micah Richards is the only young full back in England to have the potential and quality to step into Nevs boots, and I can't see that one happening in a million years. People (not me) will only realise how good he is when hes gone. Wes has done alright, but the attacking side of Nevs game is sorely missed. Simpson gave us a glimpse of what we've been missing, and what Wes can't do. But that was Wigan. I like the look of Danny Simpson (Bardsly will NEVER be a Utd player as long as my goats got udders), but I fear he won't be at his best for another year or two, and besides you need 2 good players for every position anyway.

No chance of getting Richards!!

khaled nev was a very good right back at 20 so why cant danny simpson do the same? the lad needs games. give him a go

As a blue and not a great fan of neville as a person i can say he was a good RB, but i do believe a few have the right idea when you say that you won't get richards from city, he has stated his dislike in an online chat for you lot. plus it would take a very very brave person to sell him to you. i see you talk about him coming back, do you genuinely believe he should get his england place back from Micah?
i am being serious!!

Bobbydazzler, Nev certainly played 20+games the season he broke thru, and he wasnt the playerweknow. he wasallowed to develop into the roleas Simpson certainly seems to have the ability it was suggested by theold trafford 'spin docs'!I wasalso impressedwith Pique, althou notso much at right back. I think itsimportant that even players like Nev, Scholes and Giggs can notExpect to just walk into the teamAnd this seems to be the 1st season that demonstraates that!

Richards? £50million and even then you've got no chance.

NOw this looks serious and, I think, creates a whole new debate. It's now been 8 months and there is an ominous familiarity with OGS's situation. I'm not sure we'll ever see GN back the way he was. This means that Micah Richards will become the established England right back and Danny Simpson should soon follow Wes Brown in that position for United.

I was watching the Newcastle United match from Nov 2002 and a number of things struck me.

First, Wes Brown doesn't get the credit he should. While I'd gladly let DF go, Wes has refused any number of chances to go elsewhere and taken his chances. This is the attitude we need. IMO he is a key squad member and his ability to play CB or RB will continue to pay dividends. Everyobody has an off day and, like Carrick I think Wes comes in for too much criticism. There he was back in 2002 filling in, just as he is today.

There were many other reflections from that match that I'd like to discuss, some in keeping with comments on other posts.

First, Paul Scholes. It clearly supported my view that he plays far too deep now. And none of us know why, because he has never been a holding MF. Back then, he was playing 20 yards further up. Result? The play was further forward and he scored up to 20 goals a year. Time for a change Paul unless you move up and Anderson looks like the man (or even Rooney - my longstanding recommendation to fill the PS Bobby Charlton role he no longer plays).

Next, we started that Newcastle match much faster. Ok there were the same problems of not taking a bucket load of chances but as now, at least we were making them. Also, NUFC gave us more room to play, thanks to the cavalier Mr Robson.

It showed, as now, that we need an early goal. That means starting in fourth gear, pressing further up the pitch and playing at pace. Wecan do it but IMO,Scholes and Giggs are now holding us back. That's why I also think it's time Rio was captain to fire us up.

Finally, it reminded me of the RVN debate that still doesn't seem to go away with the goals he's banging in for Real. Many of you know my view: it was the right time to let him go and he's getting more time and space for Real, together with service on a plate.

But what struck me watching the 2002 match was this: he scored a hat-trick, but he didn't have to move for any of them; they were all on a plate, 6 yards out. Yes he's a poacher, but so are Saha, Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo and probably Anderson and Nani.

Ruud looked clumsy even back then.He had no great ball skill; was perpetually caught offside; didn't jump his height (he was stood flat-footed for his headed goal); and never scored outside the box (unlike the others above who can).

So,I don't miss him. I believe total football is the way forward. If we really wanted an old fashioned CF, Fergie would have bought one by now because he knows what they look like. Instead, he's stuck by Saha, even at the cost of RVN.

So, we should be looking for players who can do everything and fit our new style. CR is perfect. But the interest in dos Santos, Menez and Chrysantus is entirely understandable and yes, Berbatov might just qualify too, to give us other options.

So, in conclusion: we need to start quicker, play at pace with skill, further up the park and score an early goal. We need a fluent front 5, many of whom can tackle, anchored by either OH as a holding MF or Carrick if we are going all out. At the back, we need a mix of pace, guile, heading ability, vision, anticipation and ball skill - Brown, Evra, Rio, Vidic, Simpson, Pique, Evans, Sylvestre (and in due course both Eckersleys and Shawcross) all qualify.

Gary is the past and has been one of the greatest. Sadly I think he's now gone. The future's bright...the future's red. Cheers.

Good post Terry. Very long but good none the less. I agree with large parts of that. It is really time to start looking to the future now and thinking about life after Scholes and Giggs. Just as Keane and Ole before them they seem to be holding the side back now sad as it is esp Scholes who I thought had another 3-4 seasons left. I cant fathom why he is playing deep unless his legs have gone but if thats the case then we MUST now give Anderson plenty of opportunities. I am not convinced that Carrick is better than very good at best whilst Anderson seems to have the whole package if developed properly. Pace aggression skill an eye for a pass and a one touch player with vision and awareness. I dont think we will miss Giggs as much as we might have simply cos he hasnt played left wing for a few years and he is only decent in the middle. Ronnie can play left or right. Nani looks a very good player and Park can play right with Ronnie or Nani left. I would still look for a left footer for the sqaud a right back and a CF cos Saha is made of bolsa. That aside the future looks fantastic. Fancy watching Ronaldo,Rooney,Tevez,Anderson,Nani,Evra,Vidic,Rio,OH etc etc for the next five years ??

What's all this "let's sign Richards" talk.
As a centre half we certainly dont need him as we have already got the best centre half pairing in the country. As a right back, IMO, he's not attacking minded enough for United. If we were going to sign a RB then it should be Alves who is a far better attacking RB than Richards. I think we should give Simpson a chance, see what he can do, you never know, he could save United some money.

BTW, bitter Mike must have started drinking early if he thinks Richards is worth £50 million.

I think Scholes is playing deep because he doesn't have the legs to play from box to box anymore. But I still think he has plenty to offer.

Anderson was brilliant against Wigan, but it was the ginger magician who was pulling the strings in midfield, dictating play and creating the time and space for Anderson to hurt Wigan with his movement and eye for a killer pass.

Just because Scholes has had to adapt his game, as he's got older, doesn't mean he should be dropped. He will play in the vast maority of our games this season and, quite probably next season too.

Anderson will learn from the master and will play a lot of football but won't be ready to take his place in the team, on a regular basis, for AT LEAST another 12 months.

Anyone else feel old now we're talking about Gary Neville potentially coming to the end of his career?

He has been brilliant and Khaled is spot on - people won't appreciate how good he is until he goes.

Richards seems to be flavour of the month, he has had a decent start to his career but that's all. Let's see if he can end up with 7 title medals like Gary has.