Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits they were planning a farewell for Gary Neville earlier this season.

United have agreed a new one-year contract extension for 35-year-old skipper Neville.

But Ferguson admitted he feared Neville's career could have been over at the end of this season following long-term injury problems.

Neville was out for 18 months with a succession of knocks and his performances in the first half of this season were poor.

The club thought this would be his last campaign as they gave his fellow veterans Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes new deals - and made preliminary plans for a farewell testimonial for Neville.

But his performances over the last three weeks have encouraged the club to change their minds.

Ferguson said: "We worried about him when he was out for so long. When you get an injury like that in your 30s, it must be a worry. But we are delighted he is over that."