New Deal For 'Amazing' Neville

Gary Neville has agreed terms on a new contract that keeps him at the club until June 2010.

Neville is as loyal a servant as any club could hope to have, spending the last 17 years in and around the first-team since making his debut against Torpedo Moscow in 1992, and he admits he couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else.

"Manchester United is the only club I have ever wanted to play for so I am delighted to have signed for another year,” he said.

The new deal for Neville, who turned 34 on Wednesday, follows hot on the heels of Ryan Giggs’ one-year contract extension, and Sir Alex Ferguson says the new deal helps sustain the spirit of the club.

“Gary, Ryan and Paul are the spirit of Manchester United and so we are delighted that Gary has signed for another year,” Sir Alex told ManUtd.com on Friday. “Gary is a true professional and he deserves this new contract and we are very happy to have him here."

Sir Alex later praised Neville's determined and committed characteristics at his regular Friday press conference.

"His performance level and drive has never changed," said the Reds boss. "It's more obvious in Gary because he never had the talent of Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but he always had determination to make sure he was always in the team.

"He also showed determination to come back after a year and a half out with injuries. We all had concerns that maybe he wasn’t going to come back - at his age, it isn’t easy. But he’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s a demonstration by Gary that he’s never going to give in. He’s an amazing man.

"He's signed another year contract and, as we’ve done with Paul and Ryan, we’ll see what happens next year. Certainly if they keep their performance level up, they’ll be here for another year, no question."

Neville, Giggs and Scholes have all played vital roles this season for the Reds, and Sir Alex is clearly keen to get the most out of his experienced old guard.

"We've tailored their games in the sense of using them in games we feel are right for them, which suits them.

"We’re lucky because I’ve got a big squad to do that. It gives me headaches at times, but it also gives me more options and I'm able to tailor their roles in the games."