Gary Neville retires

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has announced his retirement from professional football.

Neville, 35, made 602 appearances for United since his debut in 1992 and won a total of 85 England caps.

"I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had," he said.

"I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end. However, it comes to us all and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now."

The right-back signed for United in July 1991 and made his debut for the club in September 1992 in a Uefa Cup tie against Torpedo Moscow.

He was part of a side including David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes which won the FA Youth Cup in 1992.

Along with those players, he became a first-team regular at Old Trafford, winning the Champions League, eight Premier League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups in his time at United.

Neville was appointed United captain in 2005, and also became the country's most-capped right-back, playing under five different coaches.

A broken ankle sustained in a game at Bolton in March 2007 kept him on the sidelines for a whole season.

Although he battled back to make a further 33 appearances for the club, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Rafael provided stiff competition for him at right-back.

He said: "I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to be a part of the team's achievements and the club's great success," said Neville, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

"There are so many people I want to thank and of course top of that list is Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years. He is truly one of the greatest managers and I have to thank him for that.

"There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play alongside. The experiences we've shared will be with me for the rest of my life."

He added: "I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward.

"However, the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan."

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Gary was the best English right-back of his generation.

"He is an example to any young professional; hard-working, loyal and intelligent. As a United fan born and bred, his fantastic career at Old Trafford has cemented his place in the affection of the club's supporters everywhere."

Neville has been linked with a move into television punditry, while he is also considered a candidate to go into the coaching side of the game.

"Gary has been a great servant to the club and we thank him for his loyalty and his contribution to the tremendous success we have enjoyed in his playing time here," said United chief executive David Gill.

"I know from my many dealings with him over the years he always had the club's best interests at heart.

"So whilst this illustrious chapter in his career has finished, his experience, commitment and energy will ensure he will continue to play a part in the life of the club, whether on the coaching or the commercial side."

Team-mate Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "The best right-back in Premier League history, fact. Gonna be a big loss to our dressing room."

And former team-mate Steve Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live: "He had a wonderful hunger and desire to succeed, which kept him where he was in the game... a Manchester United icon."

Neville has been touted as a potential reserve-team coach at United, replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has returned to Norway to take charge at Molde.