Ferguson Hails Neville Comeback

Sir Alex Ferguson had his doubts as to whether Gary Neville would be able to return to his former self after 18 months on the sidelines, but admits he has made a 'brilliant' comeback.

Club captain Gary Neville, 33, had to sit on the sidelines last season and watch as Manchester United completed a memorable double due to an ankle complaint and a problematic calf injury. 

Sir Alex Ferguson admits the 18 months that the right back spent out of action forced him to think about alternative options in the long term as it was likelier that Neville may never return to the player he once was.

The Manchester United boss though has hailed Neville's professionalism during his comeback, and believes the player - who has 85 England caps to his name - deserves credit.

"When you consider the way Gary has been plagued by injuries for 18 months, he has done brilliantly to come back so convincingly," Ferguson told the Sun.

"At one point I thought he would not make it back into the Premier League. But he has and all credit to him."

"He persevered and never lost faith, despite the succession of niggles and strains that followed his ankle injury," he added, citing the player's mental strength as the key reason for his comeback.. 

"He is a role model for any player feeling down on his luck," Sir Alex concluded.