Captain Returns

Gary Neville is in contention to travel with a 20-man 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.

A knee Injury and a subsequent three-week lay-off rules Nemanja Vidic out, but it could open up a route back into the first-team for Neville.

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

"Nemanja's injury is a loss, but we hope to have him back in three weeks. I think we can cope. We've got Mikael Silvetre and Gary Neville back. To have those personalities and experienced players back in the squad can only help us.There's also Gerard Pique, John O'Shea and Wes Brown. So we're very well covered in that position. If we can't cope, there's something wrong."

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 the skipper 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.

United will be without winger Nani for the trip to Teesside. The Portuguese winger is still recovering from a thigh strain. "Nani is still not 100%," added Sir Alex. "I'm sure he'll be fit for Wednesday against Roma."