Manchester United are ready to hand skipper Gary Neville a new one-year contract.

The former England defender is battling back to full fitness after an 18- month injury lay-off which saw the emergence of Wes Brown and Rafael da Silva in the right-back position at Old Trafford.

Neville's current deal runs out at the end of the season. And manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his club captain, 33, has done enough to warrant an extension.

Ferguson said: "I think Gary deserves a new contract simply because of the fantastic career he's had at United.

"Knowing him, he won't want any favours from the club. He will only want a new deal if he is fit enough to play, but he has come back in this season and hopefully his fitness problems are now in the past.

"As far as I'm concerned, Gary is still at the remedial stage. He's still striving for the level of performance he was producing three years ago, but that's normal after a long lay-off.

"I think he'll be here next season. I certainly can't see him playing for a team other than United."