Manchester United - Gary Neville

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 the2007/2008 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 fans love him for it. His heart-on-his-sleeve approach doesn't endear him to everyone, however. His badge-clenching, fist-pumping celebration following Rio Ferdinand’s last-minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in January 2006, for example, saw him charged with improper conduct by the FA and fined £5000.

“Are you meant to smile sweetly and jog back to the halfway line?” he protested at the time. "People want footballers to be whiter than white. Do they want a game of robots?" And that about sums up Neville's passion for the game and, more importantly, United.

There was no such censure for Gary’s next high-profile celebration - at the 2006 Carling Cup Final. He lifted his first trophy as captain and collected the one domestic medal that had eluded him in his career. The Reds had not won the competition since April 1992, when Gary was in the famous youth team that also spawned David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Ever since those days, Neville's character and determination hasn't altered. "His performance level and drive has never changed," says Sir Alex. "It's more obvious in Gary because he never had the talent of Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but he had determination to make sure he was always in the team.

"He also showed that quality to come back after a year and a half out with injuries recently," adds the boss. "We all had concerns that maybe he wasn’t going to come back - at his age, it isn’t easy. But he’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s a demonstration by Gary that he’s never going to give in. He’s an amazing man."

Gary has had to cope with adversity in the latter stages of his career, most recently missing out on a place in the Champions League final squads for the win over Chelsea in 2008, and the defeat to Barcelona in 2009. But he steadfastly refuses to give in. And that's why the Bury-born right-back earned a contract extension until June 2010 in February 2009. Neville is as loyal a servant as you could hope to have, and in an age where players rarely stay put for long he is among a dying breed of one-club men. "United is the only club I've ever wanted to play for," he says.

Vocal and single-minded, the Reds skipper has all the attributes and characteristics of a great leader of men; Gary gives his all in every game, demanding the same from his team-mates. No excuses.

PROFILE:Birthdate: 18 Feb 1975
Birthplace: Bury
Position: Defender
Appearances: 582
Goals: 7
Joined United: 08 Jul 1991
United Debut: 16 Sep 1992 v Torpedo Moscow (H)
International England