Neville: United will take the Premiership

Such has been the pride and passion that Gary Neville displayed for Manchester United that despite being a regular for nearly 20 years and earning 85 caps with England, no other club ever dared approach him or make an offer to the club for the legendary right-back. Here in the UAE after having recently retired, Neville told Gulf News in an exclusive chat that United will take the Premiership, backed goalline technology and stated that the city of Manchester would emerge as a focal point for European football after Abu Dhabi's backing for Manchester City FC. "I have never been offered a contract with another club, as far as I know they never approached United for me. I think because I have always nailed my colours to the mast. People have always understood that I will never leave United to go to another club," said Neville who had signed a three-year deal with Sky TV as a commentator and will assist United in the role of an ambassador. Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur Commenting on Saturday's controversial goal by Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur, Neville said, "You saw the England game against Germany. These are huge moments. Take Tottenham last night. This could prevent them from being in the Champions League. For a Club like Tottenham that is a huge thing, financially too, to be in the Champions League." "However it has to be implemented right through and that will be a problem. Technology can be easily brought in for the Premiership and the World Cup. They have about 50 cameras all around for every match. You don't have the cameras for the lower leagues so you don't want a rule that is brought in just for the Premiership or just for the World Cup, That is the difficulty," Neville said. With city rivals Manchester City emerging as strong contenders , Neville felt that the presence of United and City will help the city of Manchester "There will be a huge focus on Manchester in the next five or ten years. United is always been a focus throughout history, that will never change. But with obviously the new money that has come from Abu Dhabi into Manchester City FC, Manchester could be a focal point, a focal point for European football for the next ten years. Manchester United Soccer School in Abu Dhabi Neville was also optimistic that soccer schools in the region would help boost the youngsters. "The Manchester United Soccer School in Abu Dhabi, the facility built by Reem Investment is wonderful. You have to start at the bottom, let the children get interested, let them watch United and get coached the United way," he said. "Once children become excited children can surprise you, they can shock you. With proper coaching and education you will soon see players from the Middle East playing in the Premiership. I am convinced it will happen more and more in the next 10 to 15 years. "The World Cup coming to Qatar, the investment from Abu Dhabi and other cities in the region. It is inevitable that it will improve and children Premiership games will dream and go on the achieve them," Neville said.