Why it's time for legend Gary Neville to hang up his boots, Becks still good enough for the World Cup and I back Chelsea to pip Inter

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Published 22:31 21/02/10

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Manchester United's 3-1 defeat at Everton showed to me that Gary Neville soon should think about concentrating his skills on nurturing players instead.

United’s alarming loss also suggested if Wayne Rooney has a slight dip, there are not many players ready to step up.

But I was most concerned by the visitors’ back four of Neville, Jonny Evans, Wes Brown and Patrice Evra which looked shaky.

I have a lot of respect for Neville, 35, who has won everything there is to win and we made our England debuts together against Japan in 1995.

I can’t praise him high enough in terms of his professionalism.

But he had a poor game at Everton and I think he should soon concentrate on coaching the next generation of stars at United rather than playing.

Neville is lacking pace these days and getting found out when players attack him.

He still has a big influence in the dressing room so is worth United retaining.

But he is not like evergreen Ryan Giggs who can still make a telling contribution and change games.

For me Neville should not be selected ahead of Rafael Da Silva, who I appreciate has his own short-comings.

Neville is now being exposed by attackers which is cruel and I think his legs may have gone.

So I think Neville should start thinking about his future coaching career soon as I believe he will make an excellent manager one day.

David Beckham's display for AC Milan and Manchester United proves he is still worthy of a place in the England squad.

Becks, 35, is fortunate that some of the other pretenders for playing on the right of midfield in South Africa are blatantly not up to scratch.

But I would have him on the plane for his crossing when he comes off the bench.

He started for Milan against United and it was noticeable he dropped further and further back as the game went on.

But his crossing and dead ball delivery are still up there with the best in the business.

I think he can still make a valuable contribution for the final 20 minutes in games but that is as far as I would go.

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Chelsea visit Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and I am really looking forward to my trip to the San Siro.

The game last week between AC Milan and Manchester United set the benchmark for goals and excitement.

But this match is going to be about who blinks first.

It will be a case of friends reunited for Inter boss Jose Mourinho who used to manage Chelsea.

And I still want to see him back in the Premier League - ideally with Liverpool.

It will be fascinating to see how Mourinho deals tactically with taking on his old club as he knows the team inside out.

But I fancy Chelsea as they can rely on the class of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka to sneak a goal in both legs.

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