[Dirtycheat]

Simpson Under Nev's Wing

Originally Posted by The People

Manchester United rookie Danny Simpson is enjoying one-to-one coaching from Gary Neville - the man he hopes to REPLACE at Old Trafford.

Neville, fighting his way back to fitness after seven months out with an ankle injury, is tutoring the classy 20-year-old.

And lifelong United fan Simpson, who made his third first-team appearance as a late replacement for Ryan Giggs in the 4-2 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev earlier this month, could not be happier.

He said: "He's teaching me all sorts of stuff ... how to study the weaknesses of different players and try to force them into areas where they do less damage. If you can't learn from somebody like Gary, then you might as well not bother. His dedication is second to none - he's the ultimate team player."

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is a big fan of Simpson, who joined the Old Trafford youth system at 10.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was keen to sign him after a 14-game loan spell as the Black Cats won promotion last season, but Fergie was having none of it and Simpson has agreed a new three-year deal.

He said: "I learned a lot at Sunderland but United is the club I love."

Simpson, who can play at leftor right-back, admitted: "It's sometimes a steep learning curve, especially when you have Ryan Giggs going out of his way to nutmeg you - it's one of his party tricks and he loves practising on me!"

Yet, for Simpson, Paul Scholes is the main man. He said: "Scholesey's the best player I've ever seen. His awareness is uncanny."

With Neville due back next month and We Brown ahead of him, Simpson knows he must play the waiting game.

He said: "Rio Ferdinand told me not to get carried away, to enjoy my taste of the big time but to keep a level head. And that's what I'm going to do."

nice to see fergie is looking at his academy for future replacements rather than elsewhere. I think this would help simpson develop immensely.

[moley]

nice little read, the lad seems to have the right attitude