Neville: I’m As Committed As Ever

Manchester United stalwart Gary Neville has poured cold water on speculation suggesting he will be looking to leave his boyhood club during the summer in search of regular first-team football.

Persistent injury problems along with the emergence of Rafael da Silva have limited the 34-year-old to just a handful of appearances this season, which has reportedly given Middlesbrough the belief they might have a shot at attracting the hugely experienced defender.

Neville’s latest comments will have dampened the Championship side’s hopes, however.

“I played a good number of games last season and I hope that continues next season because playing for this club is as special to me now as it was when I first pulled on the shirt as a schoolboy,” insisted the veteran right-back in The People.

Neville, who was recently handed a surprise call-up by England boss Fabio Capello, went on to outline the importance of attacking full-backs to Man United, insisting that he can still fulfil the role despite hardly being the most eye-catching of players.

“Full-backs have an important role, particularly at United, in terms of the way we attack and the way in which there’s a transition from defence through our full-backs to attack,” he added.

“We have always set up play and been part of the extra-man situation and we always play with width.

“The way you see guys like Patrice Evra and Rafael da Silva attacking, they are more like wingers who can defend – they aren’t just full-backs any more.

“The way in which the modern full-back like Rafael, his brother Fabio and Patrice play is fantastic to watch. Before I got injured a couple of years ago you’d say I was running forward nearly all the time during the game.

“Don’t get me wrong – I don’t do that in the same eye-catching way as they do, but you understand the changes and development in the game and the way I’ve had to adapt.”