gary neville

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has urged the club’s fans to trust their manager, despite the fact they look set to lose talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese international is expected to conclude a deal worth £80 million and move to Madrid in the next few days but Neville insists the club can always cope with the loss of a big star.

“The manager has probably built four or five different teams within the period he’s been at United, and it’s not been a case of being unsuccessful for three or four years in between while he’s been creating a different team,” Neville told the Sunday People.

“It’s been a brilliant job. Big players have come and gone down the years but the club’s success has carried on - and that’s down to the way the manager has adapted to situations.”

The defender also insisted that Ferguson would find a way to replace Ronaldo who, once again, finished last season as the club’s top scorer.

“I’ve heard fans wonder how the club will replace influential players who have been sold but you have to trust the manager - and his record speaks for itself,” said Neville.

“The manager’s record is absolutely incredible.

“There is no-one comparable, in terms of his continued success, and to have been here over 22 years is a staggering achievement.”

The England international also insisted that Sir Alex always made the right decisions and that this was is a key factor to United’s success.

“He keeps a control over the whole club in the way he instils the right qualities into everyone,” explained the 34-year-old.

“The other key thing is his decision making. He makes the right decisions and does the right things - that’s why he’s been able to keep winning trophies.”

The full-back also insisted that, despite his career as a Red Devil winding down, he was still hoping to play his part next season.

“I played a good number of games last season and I hope that continues next season, because playing for this club is as special to me now as it was when I first pulled on the shirt as a schoolboy,” added Neville.