Gary Neville’s last season? It probably should be

10 December 08 by Bill

Gary Neville has been recalled to the first team for tonight’s home tie with Aalborg to make only his 11th start of the season and if you discount the Carling Cup, his first start since the 2 – 1 defeat to Arsenal on 8th November. In the defeat, Neville had a stinker and was repeatedly made to look average at best by the speed and fluidity of Arsenal’s passing. He was a shadow of his former self.

Neville has since played in only two Carling Cup games and despite Ferguson hailing the 33 year olds performance against Blackburn last week, I cannot agree and felt once again that Neville was in over his head. It is understandable the former England right back has lost a yard of pace; he is 33 now and just recovered from serious ankle ligament damage. But Neville has lost more than that. Only a couple of years ago, Neville was one of the best crossers in the game. He was constantly darting forward and delivering pin point passes into the box. When was the last time you saw him do that? Now ask yourself when was the last time you saw him hoof the ball wide or play a ball short? The Blackburn game? The QPR game? The Arsenal game? Unfortunately, he did it in them all.

It’s admirable that Neville wants to fight for his place back but more often than not, serious injury in the latter stages of a players career is what dictates his future and as much as he tries, I just can’t see him returning to form. The emergence of Rafael has piled even more pressure on Neville and Wes Brown’s form last season has seen Neville become third choice at right back; perhaps even fourth. If United needed to beat Aalborg tonight, Neville wouldn’t be playing and rightly so.

Rafael is just 19 years old and already looks set to become United’s first choice right back; if he’s not already, he will be come the end of the season. Although Wes Brown has had an indifferent start to the season, when he returns from injury I would expect him to step up his game and push for a place in the team. Brown signed a new 4 year contract in April so Ferguson most definitely has plans for him and at 29 he already has the edge over Neville. Even if Neville were to put in a good performance tonight, Ferguson would still need to look to future success and wonder how Neville could contribute to that given his age and condition.

Gary Neville is one of United’s most decorated players having won 7 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, a League Cup and the Champions League but past glories are not enough to keep you in the team. It is a cut throat game and there is no place for sentiment. Not if you want to win.

Gary Neville will always be a favourite to the Red’s that saw him play with commitment and passion for so many years. His desire to win and love for United struck a chord with us all and we will remember what he has done for the club for a long time. But now, the time has come to hang up his boots, I just hope he does it graciously.