Come Clean United. What’s Wrong With Gary Neville?
What’s wrong with Gary Neville?
The skipper was injured against Bolton last March. He was pencilled in to return against Liverpool in a reserve match last Thursday but failed to appear. United say that Neville’s omission was a simple precaution. Now he is said to be targetting another reserve game against Wigan in November.
But like a frail Kremlin boss, Neville’s absence is unsettling. Instead of putting out forecasts that prove hopelessly inaccurate, United need to come clean and let fans know the true extent of Neville’s injuries.
This is all the moire important as for the moment, confusion reigns. Neville initially injured his ankle in a tackle with Bolton’s Gary Speed. Fans were told later that Neville’s lengthy absence was explained by further problems with his calf and thigh.
Now, slipping into the public domain is the startling news that Neville has also suffered a knee injury.
“The defender has not appeared for United since March due to a combination of ankle, knee and calf problems,” the Mirror reported yesterday.
The Manchester Evening News went further. It claimed Neville’s injury was not only different but worse than anyone could have imagined.
“Neville has not played for United’s first team since March, when he injured his cruciate ligaments against Bolton,” the newspaper claimed.
Has Neville really joined Park and Foster in United’s crop of cruciate ligament victims? Yikes!
Meanwhile, United’s public information system tells fans not to worry for the sklipper’s health even though the ‘golden generation’ veteran has proved unable to shake off injuries quickly for three years. According to the Times, Neville has missed 52 of United’s 123 league matches since the start of the 2004-05 season.
- Neville Comeback Quotes
12/10/07: Sir Alex - Neville is “over his last injury” and “only needs games now.”
26/09/07: Sir Alex - “Gary is training with us this week for the first time since he got injured. He is into the footballing side of it now, which is pleasing news.
“It has been a long time. I am sure he is delighted to get back but, most of all, we are very pleased. It was one thing on top of another for him.
“It was an accumulation of small injuries that set him back. Hopefully, he is now on the mend.”
17/08/07: Gary Neville: “I had an operation on my ankle about five to six weeks ago. I have been training really hard and feeling really strong and hoping I am fit for the start of the season because I am longing to play.
“I need to get fit as soon as possible because I love playing for Manchester United.”
