Club captain Gary Neville has revealed that he is
already contemplating a life in coaching - but admits that it pales
in comparison to actually playing.
The 33-year-old lined up in the Reds' pre-season opener at
Aberdeen on Saturday and, although he is relishing being back in
action after his lengthy injury layoff, a future on the other side
of the touchline is already in the back of his mind.
"I have done my coaching badges in the summer - along with Ryan
Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer," Neville told the Daily Star. "But
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."
The Reds' skipper has a year remaining on his contract and,
regardless of what the future holds, he is intent on making the
most of the coming season in order to prolong his playing career at
Old Trafford.
"I'm into the last year of my contract, so I've got to do my
best and try to maintain my existence
at United because this is the only club I want to play football
for," he said.
"It's difficult as regards the future because at the age
of 33 or 34 you have to start thinking about what you are going to
do once you stop.
"At that age you feel like you are about to fall off a
cliff because there's nothing you can do to replicate the last 15
years. You have to try to find something. Hopefully I can keep that
at bay for two years."