Neville says Manchester United must bounce back

Neville says United can't feel sorry for themselves (GETTY IMAGES)

Gary Neville insists Manchester United have no time to feel sorry for themselves after Wednesday's shock Champions League defeat to Besiktas.

The end of United's 23-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League also means Sir Alex Ferguson's men have still to secure top spot in Group B.

A point in Germany against Wolfsburg in a fortnight would be enough but before that the Red Devils have a Carling Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, the side they beat in the final at Wembley last season, plus two tricky Premier League away games, starting at Portsmouth tomorrow.

So, with a five-point gap to close on current leaders Chelsea it is little wonder that Neville is looking forwards rather than back.

"We have to move on," he said.

"Losing like we did on Wednesday is never good but we have a game at Portsmouth to look forward to, so we have to pick ourselves up."

At least Neville can look forward to some involvement after completing a three-match domestic ban following his dismissal at Barnsley.

In fact it will be the first time the veteran defender will have played a league game since the beginning of October.

For a player who has spent almost two years battling back from injury, it has been an unwanted spell on the sidelines particularly as, approaching his 35th birthday, Neville knows he has not got too long left at the highest level.

"I have been fit through the period I have been suspended so it has been frustrating," he said.

Ferguson will pick a much stronger team to face a Portsmouth side managed by Avram Grant, with Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs among those expected to return.

However, injuries to John O'Shea, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand mean changes to the United defence are almost certain to be limited to a recall for Patrice Evra in place of Brazilian teenager Rafael and also Edwin van der Sar, providing he has recovered from the bang on the knee he suffered in the win over Everton last weekend.