PHIL WAS READY FOR OFF

He said: "I did speak with the manager about my future in the summer. I was 25 and I had just missed out on the World Cup again.

"I hadn't played enough football from February until the end of the season and I knew that affected my chances of going to Japan. I needed to play more but I didn't want to go elsewhere to do that so I spoke to the manager.

"The boss could sense how frustrated I was because he was disappointed I didn't go to the World Cup too but he just said there was no way he wanted me to leave.

"He's the only person I listen too. If other people want to speculate that's fine — but it's what Alex Ferguson tells me that matters."

Not that he wishes his brother any harm or anything Neville added: "I've been very pleased. Gary (Neville) and Wes Brown were injured so I began the season in the first team and that gave me a bit of momentum.

"I have loved playing in midfield and the manager has told me he sees me as a midfielder at this moment in time, whereas in the past I saw myself as just a stop-gap replacement.

"But it went so well that I think there is a spot for me in midfield — especially if we play the 4-5-1 system.

"To be honest I've been a little bit embarrassed by some of the praise I've received since the Arsenal game, because there were 10 other players on the pitch.

"People said I dominated Patrick Vieira but he's a great player. I've not got carried away because it was just one of those games where it all gelled. After that the pressure was on me to live up to that kind of performance.

City didn't help United

"I wouldn't say losing to City was a blessing in disguise, because at the time it was the worst feeling in the world. I think we got to the stage after the City game when there were careers were on the line.

"There were only 12 or 13 fit players, and the others were young lads or reserve teamers. It started at the Newcastle game where we put in a great performance and the same 12 or 13 players played in the next eight games which helps continuity.

"It was do or die for us. After the City game, we had Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal and the manager told us in no uncertain terms that we had to get maximum points from those games.

"I felt my United career was at risk. Definitely. That's the way it is here. If you are not performing, the manager will show you the door.