Gary Neville belongs to an elite group of players who have skippered the Reds to Premier League title glory.

Following on from Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, Neville realised a lifelong dream as he became the fifth United captain to lift the Premier League trophy following the Reds' record ninth triumph at the end of the 2006/07 campaign.

Neville himself had missed the final stages of that season, having suffered ankle ligament damage just 11 minutes into the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford on 17 March 2007. The same injury kept the Reds’ skipper out for most of the

2007/2008 season but even when unable to influence matters directly on the pitch, you can be sure his presence is felt in the dressing room and from the stands. Nobody wants United to win more than Gary Neville.

The defender, who has made more than 550 appearances in a United shirt, was handed the armband during the 2005/06 season following Roy Keane’s departure. Being one of United’s most consistent and committed performers since establishing himself in the side in 1994/95 at the expense of Paul Parker, Neville was a natural choice.

He enters every game refusing to contemplate defeat, and the