Gary Neville is braced for the most important pre-season of his United career.
The defender
not only has to prove his fitness after missing almost the entire
2007/08 campaign, he also to oust the man who replaced him as the Reds'
regular right-back.
"I've got a number of challenges ahead of me
and the ultimate one is to try and get back into that team ahead of Wes
(Brown)," said Gary, in an exclusive interview with MUTV.
"That's
going to be hard for me given the way Wes performed last season. I
would say he was in our top two or three most consistent players. He
was fantastic throughout the season and deserved all the success he got.
"I
can talk about my injuries and being out for 12 months, but Wes has had
two cruciate ligament injuries and been out for 12 months twice. I know
now where he was during those years and I appreciate how difficult it
is. And even though Wes is younger than me, he is a great example to me
of how you come back into the team after an injury."
Neville's
bid to get back into the team starts on Wednesday when the Reds
reconvene at Carrington, initially without the men who represented
their countries at Euro 2008.
"Pre-season is hugely important
for every player but this time it's massive for me as I try to break
into a team that's won the Double," said Gary. "And it's an
even greater challenge than normal for the team as we try to repeat the
success of last season."
Can't wait to see him again!
he seems to give that (thou shall not mess with MU) mentality whenever he is on field.
however, I don't deny brown gives as much as he takes in his full-bloodied challenges..