Neville ruled out of United defence

Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville will miss the start of the season with a persistent groin problem.

The right full back was an ever-present for the treble winners last season but has not trained all summer and may need an operation. The club - on tour in Hong Kong - sent home Ryan Giggs and Jesper Blomqvist back to England yesterday for treatment to injuries but Neville is the major concern for the United set up as they start the defence of the Premiership title on August 7th.

Neville seems certain to miss the Euro 2000 qualifier for the English national team against Sweden in September adding to the injury list for the side that lost central defender Tony Adams to a hernia operation earlier in the week.