Neville faces comeback wait

March 26, 2008

TRAINING: Gary Neville

GARY Neville admits he may not make his return to the United first team until next season.

The Reds captain has not appeared since suffering an ankle injury against Bolton last March.

Neville is back in full training and has played three reserve team matches since the turn of the year.

But with United chasing a league and European Cup double, he admits this is not the best time for manager Sir Alex Ferguson to ease him back into the fold.

“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,” Neville told Manchester United Radio.

“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.

“Hopefully I'll get a game somewhere but that could prove difficult with the significance of the matches we have over the next few weeks. I just have to hope and pray that I get my chance at some point.

“Usually when you're coming back from injury there's an opportunity to throw you back into the side - maybe in one of the cup competitions - but every game's so important now.”

Over the next month, United face key league games against Arsenal and Chelsea plus Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

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Gerry, Glastonbury (26/03/2008 at 14:27)

If we win the league with a game or two to spare then the Nev could get a run out, but he's right, apart from that, it's pre-season with the rest of the lads and go from there. However, I tend to think he'll get lucky!

skh,pj, Malaysia (26/03/2008 at 15:11)

Mr Neville , your time is up.Please just fade away quietly.

Teresa20, Norwich (26/03/2008 at 15:41)

People forget that we've played this entire season without our captain. John Terry misses a game and Chelsea's season is on a knife edge. It'll be good to see Gary back, hopefull if the title sowned up, it'll be this season.

Gillian England (26/03/2008 at 16:06)

No offence Gary but maybe the writing is on the wall for u mate , maybe its time to retire !

Since66, Amersham (26/03/2008 at 16:24)

At 33 the career must be near to the end but some of the comments here forget what a brilliant right-back he's been. He doesn't look the sort of bloke to put on weight etc. and I can't see any reason why he shouldn't have a couple of top-flight seasons still in him if he can stay injury free. Our own Cafu!

With due respect to Wes, Gary Neville is the best right-back we have, when fully match fit. He's been a great servant to the club and he deserves the opportunity to fight for his place. Don't write him off prematurely.

the-perfidious-priest, Kampala (26/03/2008 at 17:45)

that game last season away at Bolton- Pat & Red Nev flying down the wings- OH! don't worry Gary, when we need u most we know u'll step up, & in the mean time u'll keep team spirit and focus on track. never will u whine if u r not picked!

JAX, Calgary (26/03/2008 at 18:53)

I am afraid G.Neville's return will be the same as Solskajer's. ie. return, never be the same, play sparingly for one season, and then retire for good.

Good night and good luck Nev!

BrewDevil, Clemson,USA (26/03/2008 at 19:14)

If GN is indeed fit, and he can be put under consistent match-type physical stress training leading into summer to prove so, then our right back situation will be sorted for next year, assuming we can work out a contract with Wes so that both sides save face. A TRULY fit Nev rotating with WB will see us through next year and allow us to negotiate for Lahm, Boswanga[sic], etc for a fair price or decline, w/o being held to ransom so we can concentrate on an acceptable back up for Evra and dabble in the striker market. I'm optimistic re: Manuchco, but who would be surprised if he is less than anticipated his first year and we find ourselves worried about goals up front again. I for one don't want to be so dependent on Ronaldo HAVING to produce another meteoric output in the net.

MaDRed, France (26/03/2008 at 20:38)

Mr Neville has had his day. Bringing him back would not improve the team. Though its hard to say, the same should probably apply to Giggsy.

GN has been out for so long now that the team has a whole has moved on. New partnerships have been formed within the team and I dont think that GN would slot back in so easily.

Remember GN has made some serious gaffs in his time and was always a reluctant captain.

Get WB signed up and get some youth brought through steadily, can only be a win win situation.

Johnny Smith (27/03/2008 at 01:38)

TBH after watching Brown against France i-ll be glad to see Neville back. What happened to Brown, when he was younger he used to be class

Macca, Cornwall (27/03/2008 at 09:56)

Dont think we can really judge how Nev will be when he returns until we see it. he is a million miles ahead of brown at RB, who although has been a steady cover isnt good enough. I say let Brown go in the summer if he isnt intersted in signing a new deal, get a new top class right back in as our No.1 (lahm) and have RedNev as back up.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (27/03/2008 at 11:16)

Quite true Teresa20 the press never highligt when we miss players , yet when chelsea or arsenal lose someone for a game that is given as the sole reason they lost the league, remember when scholes was injured for most of the season and keane left leaving us a weakened midfield, no excuses were forwarded by the press

Redster1, Salford (27/03/2008 at 11:29)

MadRed

Don't you remember any other of our players out for a long period either thru' injury or suspensions, let me think of a couple of the top of me head now - Cantona, Keane, Ferdinand, Ole. The team 'moving on' didn't cause them any massive problems to fit in again and the same will apply to Neville. He's been a total professional for yonks and his experience and presence is invaluable. As for the prat who said he's made some howlers, I prefer to look at the medals he's won.

The puking budgie, Cheadle (27/03/2008 at 12:35)

Some very crass statements in some of the emails below. But then there was with the Ronaldo situation last year. Give the guy a break, top pro and quality player with still a few years left in the tank to bring on a few youngsters or new players. Gary Nev is a red he hates scousers!

adam chance, lowestoft, suffolk (27/03/2008 at 16:08)

The problem with Wes Brown against France was that he had to do all the legwork for Beckham.

neal 07, south stand lower (27/03/2008 at 17:21)

does it really matter how WB played against France? how does that affect us at United? i couldn't give a shit about international football.

regarding GN, he is a legend. he has been quality for United all throughout his career, he never moans, no fuss, just plays for the shirt and has an incessant want for success...why do people want rid of that???

Yes he has made a few errors, but who hasn't?? is everyone on here talking about his error's, are you all perfect??? i think not!!

GN is a VITAL part of United, yes he may not start as many games in the future, but he is far from ready to be dumped...plus what a role model to Craig Cathcart, Oliver Gill, Michael Lea, Kieran Lee etc...

Love you Gaz

Johnny Smith (27/03/2008 at 17:24)

NO ADAM, the fact is when Wes was young he was class,but now he is dodgy, he is not comfortable on the ball. Wes qualities are he gets stuck in, and is a DECENT defender. Nothing more. im very happy that Wes has done a job but he is a squad player not a first teamer

Alias Smith, over the moon (27/03/2008 at 18:50)

Johnny Smith, since when do we judge United players on their performances for England? I judge them on their performances for United.

Gillian England (27/03/2008 at 19:09)

Neville should retire gracefully !!!

MaDRed, France (27/03/2008 at 19:31)

Oh please when did you last see an English player turn in a decent performance for the national team anyway.

Cantona & Keane were class players and had youth on their side. Ferdinand was fit & healthy and good old Ole never really came back at his best did he?.

While acknowledging that GN has been a top pro etc, he has had his day. He wont bring anything new to the team if he ever does return.

He's only torturing himself and delaying the inevilletable. Put him out of his agony.

Fakhrulrazi Mahtar (28/03/2008 at 01:55)

i'm afraid Gaz will be the nest ollie..if he had not come this season, its hard for himto get over it..his age is finally catch up with him and he is not going to be clear of his injury as he was in his twenty...so maybe its time to find replacements in RB by bringing in evans, rafael or even simpson from our reserves and made wes sign a new contract, coz we are not seeing any youth player concretely cement his place in the first team since fetch few years back. if they are not good enough, then it is the good reason to let them go.but at the same time pls revert back to our traditional policy in trusting youth player, just as sir matt and fergie done in the past.

bobbydazzler (28/03/2008 at 09:52)

alias at last something i can agree with you are we really bothered about england?

Johnny Smith (28/03/2008 at 10:29)

Oh yeah becoz when Wes Brown plays for united he wears a cape

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