[mikeytim]

Gary Neville will travel with United’s first-team squad for the Reds’ trip to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Club captain Neville hasn’t featured for Sir Alex’s side since March 2007, when an injury against Bolton Wanderers forced him from the field. Neville was plagued by further bad luck when the 33-year-old suffered a series of minor knocks during the recovery process.

“It’s been over a year since Gary’s last game,” Sir Alex told the UK media at Carrington on Friday. “That isn’t easy at his age but what always encouraged us was his enthusiasm to return.”

Indeed, Neville has impressed in a number of outings for the Reserves in recent weeks, most recently in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Now Neville will return to the North East for the second time in a week as the Reds look to take three vital points off Gareth Southgate’s side.

Good to see him back after such a long lay off. Would be nice for him to get a bit of a run out.

http://unitedzone.info/forum/images/.../s_man_utd.gif

[simpsom]

it is nice to let him out..but at this crutial state..i really douted it is a good decision
but anyway it is good to see him on the pitch again...

[ZEUS]

I still don't think he will play.

If we were playing at home - ok. But we're playing away, and at this stage every point is vital!

[GocartMozart]

yah but if we're up 2-0 with 20 minutes to play. I'd bet money Gazza gets the time. particularly if Hargo is playing. Actually I think he'll get even more time than that.

The fact that we don't have Vidic is injured forces either O'Shea, Pique or Wes to play in the center. That means less cover ont he right. Now if Evra also gets hurt you're down to O'shea, Silvestre, and Pique. Eitherway, you'd still Gazza a run in some of these games, as a just in case.

[dada]

Yea I expect him to get a run out as a substitute if we are sitting on a comfortable lead. Will be nice to see him at this level again competing but I'm not so sure when or if he will start getting significant down this crucial stretch. Ah well, cant wait to see how this all works out.

[macca247]

good to see neville back in the squad cant see him starting tho maybe 20 mins if we have good lead

[dpak3000]

I highly doubt he will play. He hasnt played in first team football in an incredibly long time and his fitness will not all be there. It would make more sense for someone like a Hargreaves to come on as a sub than it does Neville. There is no need to rush him back. Rushing him back is what got him this long ass delay in the first place. Hopefully he'll be in form by the time the semi-finals of the CL comes around.

[USAManUtd13]

Originally Posted by dpak3000

I highly doubt he will play. He hasnt played in first team football in an incredibly long time and his fitness will not all be there. It would make more sense for someone like a Hargreaves to come on as a sub than it does Neville. There is no need to rush him back. Rushing him back is what got him this long ass delay in the first place. Hopefully he'll be in form by the time the semi-finals of the CL comes around.

Yeah, this kinda echoes my feelings on this. We have the depth to deal with the loss of Vidic, particularly against Middlesbrough, so I see no reason to rush him back into the squad when I highly doubt he's 100% match fit. If things are going smoothly on Sunday, then giving him 15-20 minutes would be alright with me, but I do not want to see him on from the get-go - ease him back into the squad. He'll be a great boost to the team if, fully fit, he's able to be selected for the CL and the last few games of the season.

Sunday:
Evra - Rio - Brown - Hargreaves/O'Shea

[losangeles]

The Gary Neville situation is strange for me, because I've always loved his huge dedication to the team and his grit, but now that the backline has been so solid I'm hesitant to want to see him in the starting lineup. I honestly doubt if he is our best option now, and even when he was healthy I think he was sometimes bested on big nights in Europe. All that being said, I'll clap when he takes the pitch again. Gary is United great for me.

[Naitro]

If I were Sir Alex, I wouldn` bring him on because i don`t know how well he will fit in with the team after more than a year. The premire league has reached a critical stage now and we need to win as many games as possible.