Neville to fight for first-team place

MANCHESTER UNITED'S Phil Neville is determined to tough it out at Old Trafford and win back a regular place in the team.

The 27-year-old made only his fifth start of the season when he captained the side which defeated Arsenal in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Neville admits he has become frustrated at his lack of league appearances but is not one to walk away.

"It is still the club I want to play for," he said.

"The bigger challenge for me is to stay and fight for my place. The easy way out is to go and play football elsewhere. Captaining this side has made me a proud man and I would like to continue playing for this club."

Neville emphasised his long-term commitment to United in the summer when he signed a new five-year deal.

"The boss (Alex Ferguson) tells me he still wants me and that is the most important person I should listen to," he said.

"As long as I feel I am making a contribution and still feel as if I am good enough to play for this team, I will stay and fight for my place."

Despite resting a number of senior players ahead of tomorrow's game against Southampton, Ferguson still fielded eight internationals against Arsenal.

The average age of the visitors' outfield players, in contrast, was 19.

Neville added: "If there is an injury in the first team the manager knows there are players knocking on the door. Competition has always been our strength at this club and it is better than ever."

Neville says he loves facing Arsenal, no matter the names on the team sheet, because there is always a feisty atmosphere.

"I think these games are always teetering on the brink. It makes them special," he added.

"I don't play in any other game like it. You see two of the best teams in the country over the last 10 years fighting it out and nobody giving an inch. Maybe it was not the first choice players out there but it does not matter one bit."

United secured a semi-final with Chelsea thanks to David Bellion's goal after just 19 seconds.

It was his third in five starts and the former Sunderland star said: "It is important to keep scoring so I can impress the manager."

"There was a lot of tension in the game. It was like a battle but we knew we had to keep control and I am so glad to get the goal to help the team."

Neville added: "The younger players sometimes look to the older players for a bit of guidance. But they just went out and enjoyed themselves.

"Arsenal may have had a bit more possession than us but they did not hurt us in any way."