Neville puts United future on hold

Neville puts United future on hold

Published Mar. 1, 2010 9:40 a.m. ET

The 35-year-old's present contract comes to an end this summer and, so far, there have been no hints he is going to get another one. Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to discard Neville's vast experience so easily, having already offered new deals to Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes which, so far, the Welshman is the only one to sign. Yet, after almost three seasons blighted by injury, Neville realises he needs to put a string of consistent performances together before he can think about another extension. With three appearances in a week behind him, culminating in yesterday's Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa, Neville is on the right path. And he is anxious not to have his attention deflected by worries over his contract. "I have got to decide what I want to do myself first," he said. "Obviously the club will play a big part in that and I need to speak to the manager because he will have a big say in it as well. "But really, I am not even thinking about it. "At my age I just want to stay fit and concentrate on the last two months of the season. I will look at it then. "I have my own idea but for the time being I want to concentrate on football." Ever since he broke an ankle in a challenge with Bolton's Gary Speed in March 2007, Neville has been frustrated by a succession of muscular problems. As his latest comeback attempt got under way at the turn of the year, there were plenty willing to write Neville off. Even he admits some of those early performances were not good. However, having got into his stride, he feels his form is starting to improve markedly. "It takes me a month to get back in the swing of things," he said. "You saw that from when I first came back, particularly against Leeds and Burnley. "Then, after a couple of games I do seem to get better. "Now I hope I can stay fit because I do feel stronger and ready for the rest of the season." As Neville replaced Rafael yesterday after the Brazilian had suffered a bad attack of cramp only an hour into the game, there must be a chance he will retain his place for Saturday's encounter with Wolves, and maybe even the decider against a Milan side containing old friend David Beckham, who returns to Old Trafford on March 10. "I don't know if that will happen," said Neville. "The manager has other options. "I have played a few games recently and it has been a good week for me in that sense. "I do feel better now. The difference for me is when I play games I get fitter. When I get fitter I feel better."

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