Manchester United veteran Gary Neville has been handed a new one-year contract extension by boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 35-year-old endured a nightmare 18-month spell when a succession of injuries kept him sidelined but he has been a regular in the United starting line-up for the last two months.

"We've agreed a contract with Gary Neville for another year," confirmed Ferguson."We've been working on it for a couple of weeks now.

"We're delighted with that. We think he deserves it because his contribution to the club has been fantastic. As I've said time and again about certain players, they make a career out of their will and determination to do it. Gary is one of those players.

"The amazing thing he has achieved is coming back from a year-and-a-half out in his thirties. To get to the level he is playing at today is astonishing.

"The man is doing it because he wants to do it, he has the determination and drive within himself not to give in on his career. He's getting the rewards for that because his performances levels have been outstanding, and at an important time for the club.

"When you're out for 18 months in your thirties, it is a concern. We knew he was putting everything into it. You don't worry about Gary's commitment and his endeavour to come back from injury.

"We leave it to him because he is more determined than any of us. We wanted to make sure he was back and tried to give him the right treatments. But at that age you have to have concerns, but we're delighted he has recovered from the injury."

Neville has made almost 400 Premier League appearances for United since making his debut 15 years ago.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email