Post by giggsy on May 14, 2006 12:53:26 GMT
Gary Neville feels Manchester United will benefit hugely from finishing second, but believes they need to improve hugely if they are to challenge for honours next term.
The Red Devils rallied superbly in the second half of the season to secure second place in The Premiership behind Chelsea - a position which secured automatic entry into next season's UEFA Champions League.
They also brought silverware to Old Trafford when landing the Carling Cup, but Neville admits the efforts in the second half of the season cannot gloss over what was a disappointing campaign.
"Second wasn't our ambition or our aim, but towards the end of the season it was the best we could do," the England full back told Manchester United Radio. "It gives us a better chance of starting next season with good preparation.
"We wanted to avoid coming back early for a qualification match in Europe and we've done that.
"There is the World Cup that will take away everyone's attention from club football, but the players must have it in the back of their minds that we have a lot to put right next season."
Neville, though, feels that United's fine end to the campaign bodes well for the new season.
"There is a good feeling about the place that we can improve," he added. "We're positive about next season."
Neville admits that slipping out of the Champions League at such an early stage left a bitter taste in the mouth.
"Without doubt that was the big disappointment of the season," he added. "The game in Benfica was always going to be a difficult match, and I think, really, we'd lost it before that by drawing at home to Villarreal and Lille and then losing away to Lille.
"The Lille results were unforgivable, even though there were reasons for them; we were decimated by injuries to four or five key players.
"I'm not making excuses, that is just the situation we were dealing with at the time. We suffered badly from it; our form and confidence just went.
"We've seen with Liverpool and Arsenal that you don't have to be at the peak of your own league to get to the final.
"Next year we'll be going for the title because that is the bread and butter of any team, but we need to have a really good shot at Europe."
Neville was one of United's most consistent performers and he would welcome some added competition for his right back slot.
"That spurs you on," he declared. "Maybe the manager will bring in another right back - he'll want two players in every position like all the top four or five sides want.
"That's the competition you have to be up against at Manchester United. It's the same for every player and I am no different. If you're not playing at your best you will be out of the team."
The Red Devils rallied superbly in the second half of the season to secure second place in The Premiership behind Chelsea - a position which secured automatic entry into next season's UEFA Champions League.
They also brought silverware to Old Trafford when landing the Carling Cup, but Neville admits the efforts in the second half of the season cannot gloss over what was a disappointing campaign.
"Second wasn't our ambition or our aim, but towards the end of the season it was the best we could do," the England full back told Manchester United Radio. "It gives us a better chance of starting next season with good preparation.
"We wanted to avoid coming back early for a qualification match in Europe and we've done that.
"There is the World Cup that will take away everyone's attention from club football, but the players must have it in the back of their minds that we have a lot to put right next season."
Neville, though, feels that United's fine end to the campaign bodes well for the new season.
"There is a good feeling about the place that we can improve," he added. "We're positive about next season."
Neville admits that slipping out of the Champions League at such an early stage left a bitter taste in the mouth.
"Without doubt that was the big disappointment of the season," he added. "The game in Benfica was always going to be a difficult match, and I think, really, we'd lost it before that by drawing at home to Villarreal and Lille and then losing away to Lille.
"The Lille results were unforgivable, even though there were reasons for them; we were decimated by injuries to four or five key players.
"I'm not making excuses, that is just the situation we were dealing with at the time. We suffered badly from it; our form and confidence just went.
"We've seen with Liverpool and Arsenal that you don't have to be at the peak of your own league to get to the final.
"Next year we'll be going for the title because that is the bread and butter of any team, but we need to have a really good shot at Europe."
Neville was one of United's most consistent performers and he would welcome some added competition for his right back slot.
"That spurs you on," he declared. "Maybe the manager will bring in another right back - he'll want two players in every position like all the top four or five sides want.
"That's the competition you have to be up against at Manchester United. It's the same for every player and I am no different. If you're not playing at your best you will be out of the team."
