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Gary Neville desperate to keep playing

"Is a red, is a red"
By Chris,
July 15 2008
Club captain Gary Neville seems luke-warm on the idea of a future coaching career and is desperate to keep playing for Manchester United for as long as possible. The 33-year-old's contract expires at the end of the new season - and, without a Premier League appearance since March 2007, the club captain's future with the Red Devils must surely be in doubt.

Neville has revealed that he took his coaching badges over the summer with Ryan Giggs and new reserve boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - but seems less than excited by the idea of entering coacing after he hangs up his boots.

The full-back's return from a horror ankle injury continued on Saturday as he played the opening 45 minutes of the 2-0 friendly win at Aberdeen.

However, Neville still has a long way to go yet and has made just one appearance since March 2007 - nine minutes as a substitute in the Champions League win over Roma in April.

That was Neville's 99th European Cup appearance - and he is desperate to add to that tally and extend his Old Trafford career for as long as possible.

"I have done my coaching badges in the summer, along with Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer," said Neville.

"Although the two weeks were good fun and hard work, it doesn't replace actually playing.

"What it did do was make me think about the fact I hadn't played for more than 12 months and that I've got to make the most of the next season and play for as long as I possibly can."

Neville has just twelve months remaining on his current Old Trafford contract - and will need to prove his fitness and defensive abilities over the coming season if his fifteen-year stint with the Champions is to continue.

Fingers crossed that the Scouse-hating, United legend can put his injury nightmare behind him and return to full fitness over pre-season.

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