Neville eyes battle with Brown

Sean_RedDevil · 28th June 2008, 12:08

Quote:

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."

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pa...newsid=6612756

1.Brown
2.Neville

still for me

esmufc07 · 28th June 2008, 12:11

Neville > Brown

Brown has done excellently this year but Neville is still gives us the better options going forward, which is what we are about.

Denis' cuff · 28th June 2008, 12:19

good to see Gary Nev back - making the right noises. Same as Rio. Looks like they're ready to go next season. A lot of talk about sustained success, not merely repeated success. After Wes' performances last season and G Nev, Hargreaves at rb, I doubt if we'll be bringing anyone in. Up top and left wing look a bit weak. I don't trust Saha (does anyone?) and Giggs is on borrowed time.

so that's Benzema and Messi in.........

izzydiggler · 28th June 2008, 12:20

If Neville can stay fit and recapture his form, then it has to be Neville that plays.

MadDogg · 28th June 2008, 12:20

Brown is the incumbent. Neville has to win it back. Hopefully he can because of his superior attacking skills, but he has to prove it.

KingEric7 · 28th June 2008, 12:32

Brown has been brilliant and Neville's really got his hands full if he wants to retain his place.

This is an encouraging interview because a lot of people are starting to wonder whether he will play for us again.

Dippersripper · 28th June 2008, 12:34

Neville was/is a world class full back. Brown was never.

Man-United · 28th June 2008, 12:35

Rotate them. Neville is 34 in january, but I still think Fergie will go for Gary against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea if he's fit.

samabachan · 28th June 2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-United

Rotate them. Neville is 34 in january, but I still think Fergie will go for Gary against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea if he's fit.

But Brown has his best games against the likes of these where his physical and defensive attributes are most useful.

ThatOldRedMagic · 28th June 2008, 12:39

What will Wes do if Gary replace him at RB? He is such a good team member it would be a real shame if he didn't or couldn't contribute.

amolbhatia100 · 28th June 2008, 12:41

Theres no comparison if Neville returns to his best.

ThatOldRedMagic · 28th June 2008, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by amolbhatia100

Theres no comparison if Neville returns to his best.

But what are the chances of that, realistically? Is he possibly just a bit too old to regain his peak form?

Decotron · 28th June 2008, 14:49

2 weeks?

Eto'odinho · 28th June 2008, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatOldRedMagic

But what are the chances of that, realistically? Is he possibly just a bit too old to regain his peak form?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decotron

2 weeks?

, ffs that never gets old

manux399 · 28th June 2008, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippersripper

Brown was never.

and Never will be..!!!!

FlawlessThaw · 28th June 2008, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDogg

Brown is the incumbent. Neville has to win it back. Hopefully he can because of his superior attacking skills, but he has to prove it.

Agreed, I think Brown will start the season but i wouldn't be surprised to see Neville retain his place sooner than expected/

kps88 · 28th June 2008, 15:16

Hope he hasnt lost a yard or two of pace after that injury.

Some players never look the same after a long term setback.

ThatOldRedMagic · 28th June 2008, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by kps88

Hope he hasnt lost a yard or two of pace after that injury.

Some players never look the same after a long term setback.

Exactly my point

(two weeks LOL!)

manux399 · 28th June 2008, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kps88

Hope he hasnt lost a yard or two of pace after that injury.

Some players never look the same after a long term setback.

It's inevitable given the period of lay-off and his age....When the legs go they go and there's nowt you can do about it..!! I know

FlawlessThaw · 28th June 2008, 15:38

To be fair Neville was never that pacey in the way Evra is. He's generally been a player who's relied more on his experience if anything.

ThatOldRedMagic · 28th June 2008, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

To be fair Neville was never that pacey in the way Evra is. He's generally been a player who's relied more on his experience if anything.

True

manux399 · 28th June 2008, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

To be fair Neville was never that pacey in the way Evra is. He's generally been a player who's relied more on his experience if anything.

Agreed but he gets down the flank pretty well..!!

amolbhatia100 · 28th June 2008, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatOldRedMagic

But what are the chances of that, realistically? Is he possibly just a bit too old to regain his peak form?

I guess thats something we'll find out. One thing for sure, hes the type of player for whome it definately is possible. His game is based around tackling, positioning, awareness, work rate and desire.

REd FUn DevIl · 28th June 2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by esmufc07

Neville > Brown

Brown has done excellently this year but Neville is still gives us the better options going forward, which is what we are about.

Well we have seen that with Brown we look better defensively and we havent been lacking attacking options. Also winning the Champions and the League speaks for itself.

Longlivekeano · 28th June 2008, 19:03

I think our defence's well covered.

Rightback
-Wes Brown
-Gary Neville
-Danny Simpson (3rd choice)

Leftback
-Patrice Evra
-Mikael Silvestre (and choice)
-John O Shea (third choice)

Centrebacks
-Rio Ferdinand
-Nemanja Vidic
-Johnny Evans (we got to start giving him games as thrid choice fullback)

Incase of an injury crisis, we can always deploy Wes Brown, Tweety & O Shea as emergency centrebacks. Even Anderson & Giggsy can play leftback in times of a horrible injury crisis (although I pray sincerely to Allah that this never happens)

Sean_RedDevil · 28th June 2008, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longlivekeano

Even Anderson & Giggsy can play leftback in times of a horrible injury crisis (although I pray sincerely to Allah that this never happens)

I prefer Rooney over Anderson & Giggs as a left-back

FlawlessThaw · 28th June 2008, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean_RedDevil

I prefer Rooney over Anderson & Giggs as a left-back

But we would miss Rooney more up front than we would say Anderson/Giggs in midfield.

Raven_Blade · 28th June 2008, 19:26

Sir Alex has said that Gary Neville will start the season as no1. Thats fine by me. Wes will definitely get more chances due to Gary's age and in time he may well have that RB spot as his own. He has proven he can handle it.

ronnie dazzler · 28th June 2008, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean_RedDevil

1.Brown
2.Neville

still for me

personally i think it would be unfair if Gary just came back and took his place. Wes was an ever present in the double winning team, so he did something right last year. Up to Gary to wait for his opportunity when injuries arise or when players are rested

paulthesinger · 28th June 2008, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-United

Rotate them. Neville is 34 in january, but I still think Fergie will go for Gary against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea if he's fit.

FlawlessThaw · 28th June 2008, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulthesinger

I still long to see the day when Gary Neville scores the winner against the Scousers in front of the Kop.

28th June 2008, 12:11	#2 (permalink)
esmufc07 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cobra on my left; Leopard on my right! Posts: 145	Neville > Brown Brown has done excellently this year but Neville is still gives us the better options going forward, which is what we are about.

28th June 2008, 12:19	#3 (permalink)
Denis' cuff Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,500	good to see Gary Nev back - making the right noises. Same as Rio. Looks like they're ready to go next season. A lot of talk about sustained success, not merely repeated success. After Wes' performances last season and G Nev, Hargreaves at rb, I doubt if we'll be bringing anyone in. Up top and left wing look a bit weak. I don't trust Saha (does anyone?) and Giggs is on borrowed time. so that's Benzema and Messi in.........

28th June 2008, 12:20	#4 (permalink)
izzydiggler Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Outside Balague's bedroom door wearing a Michael Myers mask Posts: 818	If Neville can stay fit and recapture his form, then it has to be Neville that plays.

28th June 2008, 12:20	#5 (permalink)
MadDogg Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: “Manchester United never lose, they just run out of time” Posts: 3,300	Brown is the incumbent. Neville has to win it back. Hopefully he can because of his superior attacking skills, but he has to prove it.

28th June 2008, 12:32	#6 (permalink)
KingEric7 Winner of the Tabata bet Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Patrice Evra is that which no greater can be conceived. Posts: 13,558	Brown has been brilliant and Neville's really got his hands full if he wants to retain his place. This is an encouraging interview because a lot of people are starting to wonder whether he will play for us again.

28th June 2008, 12:34	#7 (permalink)
Dippersripper Educating ignorant bastards about God to achieve a near-perfect world Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reason is an excuse for faith. Faith is everything. Please don't take, My Fletcher, Away..... Posts: 10,228	Neville was/is a world class full back. Brown was never.

28th June 2008, 12:35	#8 (permalink)
Man-United Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,418	Rotate them. Neville is 34 in january, but I still think Fergie will go for Gary against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea if he's fit.

28th June 2008, 12:39	#10 (permalink)
ThatOldRedMagic Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Diss, Norfolk Posts: 2,399	What will Wes do if Gary replace him at RB? He is such a good team member it would be a real shame if he didn't or couldn't contribute.

28th June 2008, 12:41	#11 (permalink)
amolbhatia100 Has excellent taste in women Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: india Posts: 11,243	Theres no comparison if Neville returns to his best.

28th June 2008, 14:49	#13 (permalink)
Decotron Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: So near I can smell it..... Posts: 2,946	2 weeks?

28th June 2008, 15:16	#17 (permalink)
kps88 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,600	Hope he hasnt lost a yard or two of pace after that injury. Some players never look the same after a long term setback.

28th June 2008, 15:38	#20 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 10,545	To be fair Neville was never that pacey in the way Evra is. He's generally been a player who's relied more on his experience if anything.

28th June 2008, 19:03	#25 (permalink)
Longlivekeano Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,451	I think our defence's well covered. Rightback -Wes Brown -Gary Neville -Danny Simpson (3rd choice) Leftback -Patrice Evra -Mikael Silvestre (and choice) -John O Shea (third choice) Centrebacks -Rio Ferdinand -Nemanja Vidic -Johnny Evans (we got to start giving him games as thrid choice fullback) Incase of an injury crisis, we can always deploy Wes Brown, Tweety & O Shea as emergency centrebacks. Even Anderson & Giggsy can play leftback in times of a horrible injury crisis (although I pray sincerely to Allah that this never happens)

28th June 2008, 19:26	#28 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In Man Utd's Defence. Posts: 18,234	Sir Alex has said that Gary Neville will start the season as no1. Thats fine by me. Wes will definitely get more chances due to Gary's age and in time he may well have that RB spot as his own. He has proven he can handle it.