GARY Neville believes Manchester United and England team-mate Wayne Rooney can be unstoppable at times.
Neville is fortunate to be on the same side as the brilliant young striker for both club and country.
For there are moments, such as in Sunday's Carling Cup final, when the United skipper does not believe anyone could handle Rooney's threat.
"Sometimes, Wayne does look unstoppable," said Neville.
"He seems to have all parts of the game. He has strength and a physical presence, even though he is not that tall. He has fantastic skill and determination to go with it.
"People were saying he had not scored a lot of goals in the last month or two, but it is important for him to produce at big moments and you don't get much bigger than a cup final."
At 31, Neville intends to hang around for a few years yet, but the long-serving defender accepts youngsters such as Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will provide the backbone of United's search for renewed glories in the years ahead.
Not that Neville accepts the situation at United is as bleak and many pundits claim.
Consistency
The Bury-born full-back insists the Red Devils have the talent to match Chelsea and make deep inroads into Europe. What has cost them this season, he believes, is a lack of consistency.
"It is 18 months since we won the FA Cup but you would think it is 10 years the way some people have been going on," said Neville.
"We understand the criticism comes from being out of Europe and a long way behind Chelsea in the Premiership.
"There have been difficult moments over the past year or so but it is not as if the lads are not desperate to win matches.
"But people have to understand this is a developing team, which has not yet reached its capabilities.
"As the younger players get older, they will start to gain greater consistency. Now, they also have the confidence of winning a trophy and the thought process which makes you want to do it again and again, which is what this club demands.
"There are only four trophies to be won and we have won one of them. But we all know where we need to be. It is the European Cup and the league championship, that is what Manchester United is all about."
How do you think United's squad stands up to Chelsea's man-to-man? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
I never like the neville's much, are these rumours true that chelsea have snapped up Ballack for A#125,000 p/w
I have been supporting Man U (as we call them in Bradford) for 39 years now but it has nothing to those being their glory years. I took my posting name from the incredible Eric Cantona otherwise known as the Kung Fu kid. Mr Niagi taught him all he knows about painting fences. Although I am still a loyal Man U fan I can't get a ticket because of all of you day trippers. Long live FC where I am always guaranteed a place and my own white jacket with a yellow stripe.
Same story in Norwegian papers today, but not confirmed as far as I can see. If it's true we will know by the end of the day. And damn Gill and Ferige if this is true and it came down to money. If Rio deseves a deal like this, Ballack should be paid alot more. He's free 4 god's sake
Can anybody tell me where and how often Ballack would play if he went to Chelski. He won't replace Lampard or Makalele or Essien then you have cole, swp, robben duff. I don't see how this story can be true unless MOREMONEYHO is planning wholesale changes like Becks coming in for example with Cole, Swp Robben Duff (take your pick)moving out. Becks makes a lot of success from a worldwide advertising standpoint and he would be ok with the bench from time to time. Ballack will go to a team where he will start most games. It's either United, Real or Arsenal.
I agree. But I rate him higher than all the Chelsea midfield but Lampard. So I don't think chelsea will be Ballack's next club. And Arsenal should be out of the question because he wants to win something. So either United,Juve or Real. I pray he likes fish'n chips tough :-)
Pity he didn't perform as well against BENFICA<BORO<BLACKBURN<LIVERPOOL<CITY AND EVERTON,up to last sun he hadn't scored in 12 games,ha wigan WOW they gifted him his goals,dont get excited the fat once a blue always a blue is a MYTH.