The 35-year-old full-back joins his fellow old stagers Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in committing themselves to Old Trafford until the end of next season.
It will be Neville’s 19th season at the club and his form has been so good of late that he has been mentioned as an outsider to make Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.
It is remarkable given Neville was sidelined for almost two complete seasons with muscular problems that could easily have ended his career.
more determined
And Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with the experienced defender’s contribution.
“He deserves it,” said the United manager. “His contribution has been fantastic.
“What Gary has achieved after being out of the game for 18 months, in his 30s, is astonishing.
“The man is doing it because he wants to do it, he has the determination and drive within himself not to give in on his career. He’s getting the rewards for that because his performance levels have been outstanding, and at an important time for the club.”
The manager admits there were times when he did harbour concerns that the 35-year-old would ever return to his former levels of performances.
“We worried about it,” he said. “When you’re out for 18 months in your thirties, it is a concern. We knew he was putting everything into it. You don’t worry about Gary’s commitment and his endeavour to come back from injury.
“We leave it to him because he is more determined than any of us. We wanted to make sure he was back and tried to give him the right treatments. But at that age you have to have concerns, but we’re delighted he has recovered from the injury.”
coaching badges
Like team-mates Giggs and Scholes, Neville is taking his coaching badges, and he hopes to have a future at Old Trafford when he does decide to hang up his boots.
Ferguson added: “They are taking their coaching badges, which I am delighted about. They all have futures as coaches, but we will assess what part they can play at Manchester United when the time comes.
“You can’t dismiss lightly their careers here. Their experience could be invaluable to the future of young players at this club.”
Neville has made 16 Barclays Premier League appearances this season and still harbours hopes of landing a ninth Premier League winners medal.
His first came back in the 1995/96 campaign and he has gone on to become a supremely consistent performer for club and country.
The full-back has made 396 Premier League appearances and after signing a new contract, he will hope to reach the 400-mark early next season.
“His Neville’s contribution has been fantastic” – Sir Alex Ferguson
Credits: PremierLeague.com
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