GARY NEVILLE admits he fears the end of his Old Trafford
career.
But he knows when Alex Ferguson brings down the curtain it will be
for the best for Manchester United.
Neville, 31, has seen great players come and go in his 12 years and
knows he is not immune from the axe. He said: I know its coming.
It happens, youre going to be moved on.
During the last five years people of my age have left, like Nicky
Butt and Becks. The problem is you never want to leave United.
Captain Neville got his chance because Fergie was not afraid to get
rid of big names.
Neville said: When the manager first came here, Norman Whiteside
and Paul McGrath were heroes to United fans but they left pretty
soon after he arrived.
He changed the culture of the club. It wasnt just Paul Ince,
Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis who went, other experienced
squad players left.
They were gambles and yet that side of kids went on to win the
double. He had Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt to replace Ince, David
Beckham to replace Kanchelskis and me to replace Paul Parker.
He had incredible faith in us a belief that we didnt even
possess ourselves. We looked up to those players, we learnt the
ropes off them. We travelled around Europe with them, listened to
his team talks, we watched them play and eventually they made
way.
The one thing that has ensured his success over the last 20 years
is changing the team. He sees the end for players before they see
it themselves. And 100 per cent of the time hes been proved
correct.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY believes it is his destiny to meet
Alex Ferguson in the Champions League knockout
stage.
The £10.3million Real Madrid striker, 30, was forced out of
Manchester United in the summer by Fergie. And along with former
Old Trafford idol David Beckham, he is itching for a clash with his
old boss.
Real are safely through to the last 16 after their 1-0 win over
Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday even though Van Nistelrooy missed a
penalty.
He said: Maybe it is destiny to play United. David and I have said
it would be great to go back to Old Trafford.
Ferguson had personal problems with me and can be an aggressive
man.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAUL SCHOLES still fears Alex Ferguson.
Manchester Uniteds midfield star said: When I first met him, I
was frightened frightened to death, actually. I still am.
If he is not happy about something, he will let you know.