Neville fields fans' questions, then pays everyone a drink

Manchester United captain Gary Neville delighted over 300 local United fans when making a surprise appearance at an activity organised by the Manchester United Supporters' Club at their base in Msida on Saturday night.

There was a rousing applause from the elated audience as Neville, sporting a broad smile across his sun-tanned face, emerged from the committee room clutching a glittering Premier League trophy United captured last May after four years.

The presence of the trophy was supposed to be the main attraction at the reception but Neville lent further allure to the occasion when he decided to take some time out of his honeymoon to meet his admirers.

Indeed, those attending the event got more than they bargained for as Neville not only fielded posers from fans and a few journalists during a 20-minute question-and-answer session but also offered to pay a drink to all the guests.

After adding his name to the list of distinguished signatories on the Opus United Icons Edition, acquired by the the MUSC thanks to the sponsorship of Montaldo Insurance Agency Limited, Neville braced himself for the 'friendly' grilling.

"Winning the Premier League title this season has been incredible really," Neville replied when asked by James Bullock, the president of the MUSC, how it felt to regain the top prize in English football.

"For two to three years, we had been in suffering. Arsenal had a fantastic season three years ago and Chelsea had two brilliant years.

"At the start of the season, we added Michael Carrick to our squad and lost Ruud van Nistelrooy but Chelsea added (Andriy) Shevchenko and (Michael) Ballack.

"All the teams brought in new players and nobody thought United would win the Premier League this season.

"But they underestimated us, they underestimated the knowledge and class of our manager. He knew what he was doing over a period of two years in building a young team.

"Now we're in a most fantastic position. I don't think a United fan could ever be as excited about the players, the team and about the way the club is, as today.

"We've won several honours over the last 10 years but the squad we have now is so exciting... the players are young.

"Last year, we had a squad who all wanted the same thing, we were desperate for this trophy.

"When you have a group of people who are desperate for something, it's hard to break it. We played the best football, the most attacking and entertaining football and we deserved to win this trophy."

Fond memories

The sight of Neville holding the Premier League trophy evoked memories of him lifting the same piece of silverware together with Ryan Giggs after Manchester United's final home league game against West Ham United in May.

Neville played a key role in United's relentless march to the league title before he succumbed to an ankle injury in the latter stages of the season.

"I had an operation in my ankle about five to six weeks ago," Neville replied to a question about his rehabilitation from injury.

"I've been training extremely hard at the Westin gym for the last two weeks. I feel really strong, I feel good and I'm hoping that for the start of the season I will be fit because I'm longing to play.

"I'm now 32 years of age. When I was much younger and visited Malta, I was already playing regularly but you should never take anything for granted playing for a team like Manchester United.

"When you're 18, you almost feel like it's going to happen all the time but today, standing up here in front of Manchester United supporters, I realise it's not going to happen forever. I need to get fit as soon as possible. I love playing for this football club.

"I'm hoping that, for the start of the new season, I can start playing again and represent this club as I always believe I have and give my absolute all for United."