With well over 500 Red Devils appearances to his name, plus 85 England caps, it would be folly to write Neville off just yet.

But as his 34th birthday is looming in February, time is not on his side. And the emergence of Rafael this season has presented a genuine threat to what was once regarded as Neville's automatic place in the United line-up.

Indeed, as Ferguson looks to rest key men and give fringe players a chance against Aalborg in the Champions League, Neville is the one who finds himself benefiting.

"Gary Neville will certainly play tomorrow," said Ferguson. "I felt he was outstanding against Blackburn in the Carling Cup last week and we are doing exactly the right thing by not rushing him back.

"But he knows exactly what happens when a young player like Rafael breaks into the club. When they have such outstanding ability and show such outstanding form there is not a lot you can do about it.

"It is a great aspect of the game that a young boy can turn the corner and take someone's place. At the moment the performances of Rafael have been keeping Gary out."

Not many United observers saw such spectacular progress coming when Rafael arrived in England last January along with twin brother Fabio and midfielder Rodrigo Possebon.

As 17-year-olds, they were brought over from Rio de Janeiro with an eye on the future.

Ferguson could immediately tell he had a special talent on his hands. It is only the past few months that have shown him how good Rafael actually is.

"There was a cautious note because we could not see him in an actual game as it was too late to get a work permit.

"It meant we had to sit and wait to see the real thing in proper games. We finally started him in a pre-season friendly at Peterborough and he took our breath away."

According to Ferguson there have been "a couple of defining moments" since that have convinced the United boss Rafael is no bit-part player.

One came in defeat at Arsenal, when Rafael was introduced as a substitute and scored, the other only 10 days ago in the victory over Manchester City.

"He took that game at Arsenal by the scruff of the neck," said Ferguson.

"He came on with an urgency to win the match for us. Every time the ball went on that side of the pitch, it was like a rat up a drainpipe. It was all done at electric speed.

"It was marvellous to see a young kid play like that in such a big game.

"Then his performance against City convinced us the boy is ready for it all. He is coping with everything and obviously, our gut feeling has been justified."

It means Neville is unlikely to get what he feels is required to hit top form again.

"I have not been able to stay fit enough, long enough, or produce consistently good enough performances to stay in the team, simple as that," he told MUTV.

"I am fit. I was fit for the game last week. But, am I fit to the level you expect or the level I want to be at?

"I want to get to seven, eight, nine or 10 games over a longer period. That has got to be the aim for me."

While Neville's personal goals may end up being unfulfilled - to say nothing of the long-term prospects of currently injured fellow England international Wes Brown - Ferguson's short-term aim should be achieved easily enough.

Providing United match Villarreal's result at Celtic, they will advance into the knock-out stage as Group E winners.

As opponents could then be limited and, in some cases distinctly tricky, especially if the other three English teams all finish second in their sections, it is where Ferguson prefers to be.

"It is always better to be number one," he said.

"Our experiences of finishing second in these groups has not been good and if we win it we know we have the home legs second in the last 16.

"Overall, I don't think we are doing a lot wrong in Europe.

"As holders the expectation has been delivered. In fact I am probably happier this season because the players have that bit more experience behind them."