Gary Neville showed against Milan that he deserves at least another year at United, and perhaps even an England recall

By David McDonnell

Published 08:14 11/03/10

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Perceived wisdom says that Gary Neville is on the final furlong of his illustrious Manchester United career, which has spanned almost 20 years.

Out of contract at the end of the season, 35-year-old Neville has not been offered the security of an extension, unlike fellow United old-boys Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

But against AC Milan on Wednesday, Neville rolled back the years and showed why he deserves to be given one more year at the club he has served so loyally for two decades.

With Wes Brown out with a broken foot and teenage full-back Rafael given such a torrid time by Ronaldinho in the first leg in the San Siro, Sir Alex Ferguson turned to the experience of Neville at Old Trafford.

And how Neville repaid Fergie's faith in him, with a masterclass in defending, capped by a sublime cross for United's opener that his best pal David Beckham - the master of the art - would have been proud.

He marked former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho out of the game and played with the industry and commitment of a player 10 years younger, first to every ball and challenge.

It is worth pointing out at this stage that I have endured an uneasy relationship with Neville during my 10 years covering United, and I am not alone in that regard.

He subjected me to a four-letter tirade as we boarded a plane back from a Champions League qualifier against Hungarian side Debrecen five years ago, angry at something I had written, and became embroiled in a similar spat with a colleague on the recent trip to Milan.

More recently he blanked my heavily-pregnant wife and I as we passed each other in a narrow corridor at Old Trafford, when it would have taken less effort to simply acknowledge our presence.

His antipathy towards non-favourable media coverage is well-documented and even former United defender Jaap Stam, in the revelatory autobiography that ultimately caused his Old Trafford exit, described Neville and brother Phil as "busy c****".

But that is Neville. An abrasive, forthright character who has always played with a curled upper lip, his us-against-the-world mentality ensuring he is loved by United fans and loathed everywhere else.

Yet despite my personal run-ins with him, there is no denying Neville's extraordinary contribution to United and his enduring value both on and off the pitch, which is why he deserves a one-year contract extension.

True, there have been some uncomfortable moments this season, when even the most ardent of Neville's fans will have been forced to concede their hero has been left exposed by the pace and direct running of younger opponents.

And Neville has been restricted to 16 starts this season, the combination of age and the effect of 18 months out with a serious ankle injury taking their inevitable toll.

But Neville's mere presence around the United squad and his influence on those around him - particularly the next generation - is enough for United to justify giving him a new deal.

Moreover, with Brown out for at least six weeks with a broken metatarsal and Liverpool's Glen Johnson only just back from a two-month injury lay-off, Neville has emerged as an unlikely late candidate for England's World Cup squad.

Fabio Capello handed Neville a surprise recall for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra in May 2009, but did not feature in either game.

And with younger, more versatile players at his disposal, despite Neville's wealth of experience gained through 85 caps, a place on the plane to South Africa seems unlikely.

But at United, Neville still has a huge part to play. It is inconceivable he could play for another club, such is his loyalty and allegiance to United, an association formed as a young supporter on the Stretford End.

A coaching role at United and, perhaps one day, the ultimate accolade of managing beckons for Neville in the future.

For now, though, he would be content for just another 12 months at Old Trafford. And, love him or loathe him, you have to say that is the least Red Nev deserves.

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