Gary Neville has brushed aside recent speculation linking him with a move to Middlesbrough by reasserting his desire to fight for his first-team place at Manchester United.
Thus far a one-club man, Neville has struggled to impose himself at United in recent seasons because of a series of injuries and potential successors to his right-back berth.
Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Rafael have all imposed themselves to such an extent that their senior counterpart failed even to make the bench for the Champions League final with Barcelona.
The England international’s peripheral role has prompted tentative reports of a move away – Boro have been mooted as a potential destination – but leaving United seems to be the last thing on Neville’s mind.
"I played a good number of games last season and I hope that continues next season because playing for this club is as special to me now as it was when I first pulled on the shirt as a schoolboy,” he told The People.
"Full-backs have an important role, particularly at United, in terms of the way we attack and the way in which there's a transition from defence through our full-backs to attack.
"We have always set up play and been part of the extra-man situation and we always play with width.
"The way you see guys like Patrice Evra and Rafael Da Silva attacking, they are more like wingers who can defend - they aren't just full-backs any more.
"The way in which the modern full-back like Rafael, his brother Fabio and Patrice play is fantastic to watch. Before I got injured a couple of years ago you'd say I was running forward nearly all the time during the game.
"Don't get me wrong - I don't do that in the same eye-catching way as they do, but you understand the changes and development in the game and the way I've had to adapt."