The partnership between Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville at Old Trafford is legendary. The Manchester United duo tell Herman Grech why they now want to team up in Malta.

Fresh from a three-hour training session, Gary Neville plonks his car keys on a dining table at a top Manchester hotel and his eyes curiously inspect his bag.

"I think I lost my home key during training... or have I? Maybe one of this lot knows something," he says, throwing a suspicious look at team-mate Ryan Giggs, sitting across the table.

The Manchester United icon puts on an innocent expression, raises his palm to his chest and proclaims innocence: "I don't know what you're talking about."

The two footballers have known each other since they were about 15; from the day they were roped into a Manchester United squad boasting the likes of Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes - daunting names to put any teammate into submission, let alone two 16-year-olds fresh out of school.

Eleven Premiership titles, two Champions Leagues, one Intercontinental Cup and four FA Cups later, Giggs and Neville are two of the most sought-after names of the most popular football club in the world, as evidenced by the several fans of all ages lining the road to Man Utd's training ground on the morning of the interview.

Neville stops to give an autograph to a young boy wearing a United top, before carefully manoeuvring his car through a dozen other fans. The route for Giggs is trickier. In an attempt to secure the Welshman's autograph, a young boy decides to step into the middle of the road and kneel in front of the car. Giggs has no choice but to comply while giving the young fan some advice about road safety.

Sitting for the interview later, Neville says it is up to every player to dictate the terms and conditions of fame. He cites his friend Giggs as the perfect example of a player who excelled on the field, is revered all over the world, and yet refused to sell himself to public scrutiny; as a result he leads a relatively normal life.

Former player Gary Pallister once said United defenders used to remark they had got "twisted blood" trying to mark Giggs in training, a metaphor often linked to the great George Best.

Compared to former teammates like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, Giggs has managed to keep a relatively low profile, despite being the most decorated player in the history of English football. He flirted briefly with the tabloids in the mid-1990s, when his relationships with some models served as bait to paparazzi, but since then, he only makes the headlines for his performance on the pitch.

Giggs, 35, says: "We are in the public eye so we have to be professional throughout our careers and make a lot of sacrifices. In some ways, it hasn't been just about football but about striking a balance with people, with socialising, being part of a team."

No matter how much you want it, talent alone does not get you to the top. You have to combine it with hard work and looking after yourself, Giggs notes. Ultimately though, players earn respect through what they do on the field, not off it.

He underlines the importance of growing a thick skin to survive a job under the constant gaze of the media.

"I wanted to play football, but suddenly you realise they want to know your family, your girlfriends... You have to be resilient and recognise it's part and parcel of being a footballer."

Some quiet, experienced players in their mid-30s lead by example, and serve as the real heroes of the younger members of the squad, the Welshman says.

Neville has similarly shunned the glitz that goes with the job: "Nothing's changed for me either. Nobody's interested in following me around the streets, though you may still get asked for autographs."

Football might just be a game, but the United defender, 34, says it has taught him everything in life.

"We've received our education through tough bosses who instilled discipline, who taught us to do the right things, to behave correctly, eat the right things, look after ourselves, making sure we're sensible."

So what did the young Giggs and Neville think in the early 1990s when players like Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce were playing well into their 30s?

"When we were younger and looking at those players, and they used to come in feeling stiff in the morning, we used to think 'will we ever be like that?' We recognise those players who were crucial to us when we were young - and we wouldn't have been successful without them," Neville recalls.

Giggs adds: "At the time they really seemed old to us, but now we're at their age. Things evolve and change. I think you'll find over the coming years players will play well into their 30s if they look after themselves."

Teams have changed, heroes have departed, but Giggs, Neville and Paul Scholes remain the great survivors of Man Utd. What do the younger squad members think of the three 'veterans', a word they do not really subscribe to?

"They probably respect the fact that we've been in the club for a long time. Hopefully, they see us as a vital part of the team," Neville replies.

Giggs admits he was chuffed when he learnt of the respect he still earned from other players when he last season he won the Player of the League award.

Yet, the one accolade he would like to walk away with when he hangs up his football boots is the prize of loyalty, a player who has constantly excited Man Utd fans.

Despite the numerous lucrative offers from other clubs, the two have always opted to keep wearing the famous red jersey. Still, Neville is reluctant to pass judgement on former teammates who moved on to other clubs.

"Is there loyalty in anything nowadays? You can't just talk of football players. The divorce rate is up, architects leave their business, people who work in the catering sector move from one restaurant to the other... This is life. People want a better wage."

He dismisses constant claims that footballers are getting paid too much, on grounds that it takes a good 13 years of mastering football until one can make the grade.

"When a kid kicks the ball at the age of six, he's not thinking about money. He's thinking about dreams. So the education you have to go through to become someone who earns good money is probably 12 years.

"Is there too much money in other businesses, like banking? There are others who earn hundreds of millions of pounds selling the rights of the Premier League throughout the world. A total of 75,000 people come to watch Man Utd every week. There's a product there that people love. Without a player you don't get a football game. The fans are crucial but without the player you have nothing."

Still, Neville believes the press is a small price to pay for what is essentially a great job. Players will always get criticised for playing for United, they will sometimes not like what they read or hear from fans, but life is full of lessons, he says.

Both players say they have opted to stay put in Manchester because they have loved the club since they were in primary school.

"It was never an option for me to leave the team. Man Utd will have to kick me out. I won't choose to leave. There's no other place to go. I'm at the best club," says Neville, whose affinity with Manchester clearly transcends Old Trafford.

When I let on that this is my first visit to Manchester, he throws a shocked glance: "First time here? You should be ashamed. You haven't lived!"

Giggs says he has stayed with United because of the challenges of winning more trophies - and there is always going to be a chance of stocking up on the silverware at Old Trafford.

The Welshman does not hold any particular victory to heart, not even the day in 1999 when he run amok past an entire Arsenal team to score a wonder goal to secure United's place in the FA Cup final.

"I think it's the losses that stick out in your mind. Even though you win so much, the taste of victory doesn't stay with you like if you lose a cup final. That really lasts a long time and reminds you to work harder."

Being permanent fixtures in a team of winners, both are at a loss to single out the best player they have ever teamed up with at Old Trafford. Neville says former Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel probably mastered his position better than anyone, though he also singles out Giggs, Scholes and Roy Keane.

Giggs believes players like Bryan Robson, Keane, Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and Schmeichel were the best players in their position in the world at that point in time.

Giggs has never had the chance to sparkle at national level - that's courtesy of being born in a country more synonymous for its sheep than its national football team. So does he hold any regrets for never doing some paperwork to switch his nationality to English?

"No. I was born in Wales, my parents are Welsh and I wouldn't have been allowed back into Wales (if he switched nationality). I've always felt Welsh and it just happens that I moved to England when I was young... I wouldn't have played for England anyway."

If England coach Fabio Capello walks up to him and says he wants him in his squad for next year's World Cup, what would he do?

"I'd say I'm retired from football and I'm Welsh," he laughs.

On the other hand, Neville is determined to do his utmost for United in a bid to seek a place in Capello's squad. He admits he was surprised when he was re-called in the England squad last May and is adamant on keeping fit.

Neville thinks England will always be in with a fighting chance and can even secure the tournament if the team is more resilient in the quarter finals and masters the dreaded penalty shootouts.

In a diplomatic tone, he declines to say whether it was fair on Capello to demand that his best friend David Beckham should play in Europe if he is to make the World Cup squad.

The defender says he has just one regret: the day he broke his ankle against Bolton Wanderers in March 2007, a lunge which has threatened to derail his career for good. On the other hand, he clearly has no remorse of the fist-clenching, badge-kissing celebration in front of Liverpool fans after Rio Ferdinand netted a 90th minute winner, a move which earned him a rebuke from the FA.

Does Neville think viewers back home expect players to act like robots, and show no emotions?

"Ten minutes ago you were accusing us of being greedy. Now we're being accused of being too emotional because we celebrate a goal. You can't win in football can you?" he frowns.

Away from the headlines, both players say it is no foregone conclusion that they are gracing the football pitch for the last season.

Giggs says that over the past three to four years he has enjoyed his football more than ever. As long as he is fit and gets picked for the squad he intends to carry on.

"Each season is a bonus. If I finish tomorrow, I've had a great career. That's it, I'm ready for it," he smiles.

On the other hand, Neville is well aware his football future depends on recovering from the injuries he sustained in the past two seasons.

"Since that tackle two years ago, I'm trying to do things with the club medical staff to improve my injury record. I have to see an improvement this season and stay fit... it's frustrating when you can't do your job. I think I'll need to stay fit this season to continue.

"Ultimately it has been a pleasure and a privilege to play with friends like Giggs and Scholes - that's not very common in football."

They might have no intention yet of hanging up their boots, but they are already seeking to take their partnership beyond the football field and recently announced they would be investing in Island Hotels Group in Malta, when it launches a bond and equity offer.

Over lunch, before the interview, they put on their businessmen's hat and discuss their strategies and dreams for Malta with Island Hotels Group CEO Winston J. Zahra.

Malta was love at first sight for Neville who even bought property on the island and notched up his Air Malta miles in no time. He clearly wants to put his brand into Malta: "There is an untapped market out there. Malta's got so much potential as a country. Me and Ryan sat down with the Zahra family and we realised we had the same vision. We placed ourselves with the best people to achieve our ambitions. Their track record is fantastic and we generally believe in the country, though we believe some changes are needed."

Malta, he says, needs a bit more "X factor; that little star quality" to complement its fantastic history, weather and culture.

Malta has improved greatly over the last 10 years, a stark difference to the island he first visited when there were just two traffic lights.

Giggs adds: "It's a hidden gem isn't it? It's just getting the best of what Malta can achieve. We feel Malta can go to the next level, whether it is hotels or complexes or whatever it wants to be.

"It's great timing for us as well. We don't know how long we're going to be playing football. It's exciting times for us to be doing something away from football... to be learning through the Zahra family," Giggs adds.

Neville speaks of the possibility of linking Malta with the UK and the Middle East, though plans are still in embryonic phase. He is clearly set on conceiving a much-needed environmentally-friendly project in an island which has had its fair share of concrete in the last decade.

"We'd like to do something very big in Malta in the next 12 to 24 months, and try to deliver something on the island everyone can be proud of."

However, the Man Utd defender is well aware of the red tape and bureaucracy clogging Malta. Asked if he has already experienced it, he laughs out loud: "We've hit it head on."

Neville sees himself having a more permanent base in Malta once he retires, especially now he has joined the team of Island Hotels Group, which is behind projects like the Golden Sands Resort.

"Any developments we do need to be sustainable. The Maltese would demand that. Along with the UK, the island has a long way to go and it's one of the worst performing in the EU (for sustainability). Some of the projects I witnessed in Malta in the past 10 years have not exactly been environmentally friendly. There's no doubt our projects would be at the forefront. Could we ever achieve a zero carbon emissions project? That will be our aim, though it's very difficult with the dynamics of the island."

Neville knows he can count on the support of the thousands of Man Utd fans in Malta as he builds his business on the island. The local supporters' branch was, after all, the reason why both footballers first visited Malta, and they still appreciate the hospitality shown to them when they were still apprentices.

Giggs nods in agreement and recalls the way he was stunned by the fanatical Maltese supporters during his first visit. "The young players, the officials, at the time everyone was treated as though they were first team players."

Last February, when the supporters club marked its 50th anniversary, both Giggs and Neville were treated like royalty. Whether their presence in Malta as investors in a hotel chain would create equal enthusiasm remains to be seen. The chances are their legendary status will prevail long after retirement.

The stats and the glory

Ryan Giggs

Age: 35
Born: Cardiff, Wales
Position: Midfielder
Wales - presences: 64; goals 12
Man Utd - presences: 810; goals 148

• Holds a series of records, including the most decorated player in English football history;

• First player in UEFA Champions League history to have scored in 12 successive seasons;

• His FA Cup goal against Arsenal in 1999 is widely considered as one of Man Utd's best ever goals;

• Given an OBE for services to football;

• Named in PFA team of the century 2007;

• Criticised for refusing to play in Wales's friendly matches;

• Married with two children.

 

Gary Neville

Age: 34
Born: Bury, Manchester
Position: Right back
England - presences: 85; goals 0
Man Utd - presences: 572; goals 7

• England's most capped full back;

• Handed Man Utd captain's armband in 2005;

• Was David Beckham's best man during his wedding to Victoria Adams;

• Was in PFA Team of the Year: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007;

• Scored a freak own goal when playing Croatia when a back-pass struck a divot as the keeper went to clear;

• Appointed Malta's tourism ambassador in 2001;

• Married with one daughter.