Neville set to return to Old Trafford

Phil Neville could return to Old Trafford this summer. Patrice Evra should not fear for his left -back spot, however, as Gary’s brother is set to call the shots from the touchline as David Moyes’ number two.

Neville, who left Old Trafford in 2005 after a 10-year-spell that saw him winning six Premier League titles, one Champions League and three FA Cups, is likely to replace Rene Meulensteen who is tipped to be leaving United after refusing to be demoted to his former role in charge of the youth system.

Meulensteen’s stock has risen in his time at United, meaning he won’t be short of offers, particularly from his native country, while his departure means that now the whole of Fergie’s backroom staff has left the club. They’ll be replaced by David Moyes’ long-serving lieutenants Steve Round, Chris Woods and Robbie Cooke who will follow the Scot from Goodison Park to Old Trafford.

Round, Moyes’ assistant manager since 2008, is set to replace Phelan, with Woods taking over from Steele and Cooke, Everton’s head scout, replacing Martin Ferguson in the scouting department while Neville is likely to shelf his plans of taking over from Moyes at Goodison Park to return to his boyhood club.

Undoubtedly many would see Moyes’ decision to remove the old coaching staff as a first opportunity to criticise the newly-appointed manager. However, Moyes isn’t the first – and surely won’t be the last – manager to bring his staff along after moving to a new club.

Let’s just hope that the next import from Everton, if there will be one, won’t be Steven Naismith or Tony Hibbert.

Dan (@MUFC_dan87)