NEV EYES THE NUMBER TWO SPOT

Last updated : 10 March 2006 By Editor
Gary Neville believes that United need to avoid having to qualify for the champions league so as to have the best possible start to the season.

"We do not want to play a qualifier, because it ruins your whole pre-season in terms of the build-up and when the players actually come back," said Neville.

"You also have to `factor' in the difficulty of having to actually qualify for the Champions League as well, because the situation is not always cut and dried."

On the joys of last season

"We faltered badly last season once we knew we could not catch Chelsea," he admitted.

"We have spoken about the need not to let it happen again.

"We still have seven games at home and we owe it to our fans to turn in some good performances.

"Earlier in the season we struggled at Old Trafford - but in the last few months we have done quite well and we have a really good game to look forward to on Sunday

"Newcastle against Manchester United is normally a great game with plenty of goals, and I have no reason to believe this weekend's match will be any different."