Regarded by Alex Ferguson as pivotal to United's resurgence, he suffered a bad Achilles injury just as United started to dominate the English game. Neil won 26 England caps including an appearance in the 1990 World Cup.

After retirement, he joined the Post Office and at the age of 41, he is now seeking a coaching job in football.

Then: Do you remember playing at Anfield for Manchester United?

I was taken aback actually. The atmosphere when we went to Liverpool with Nottingham Forest was always quite friendly and relaxed! When I stepped out at United, I noticed a bit of a difference.

The rivalry really opened my eyes, Steve McMahon was in the Liverpool midfield in those days and they hammered us 4-0.

I remember the manager (Ferguson) not being very happy, he was striving for United to replace Liverpool as the number one club.

Now: Who will win this Saturday - Liverpool or United?

It won't be another 4-0 for certain. Liverpool look okay this season and have the new boy Morientes on board. But somehow they lack a killer instinct in the final third and I think that will be a factor on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney is going to get the verbal treatment from the fans going to Anfield but I think United will edge it, particularly as they will field their strongest team again after a couple of cup matches.

Then: Who made you feel comfortable when you first joined up with England?

I was in awe really particularly being the only Nottingham Forest player in the squad. Luckily, Viv Anderson was there. He had played for Forest before going to Man Utd and I had met him a couple of times.

We all sat at these long tables for ten each. For the first meal, it was definitely a case of 'speak when you're spoken to!' but I relaxed as I got to know the lads.

Now: Why do England lose the key penalty shootouts at major tournaments?

It's hard to put a finger on it but I think the secret is to walk up to the penalty without any nerves. Don't look at the goalkeeper and just put the ball where you've decided. I know it's hard though, it is a very long walk up to the spot. I've only done it once, in an FA Cup tie against Southampton at Old Trafford.

I stepped forward against Tim Flowers and I think I hit a pigeon at the back of the Stretford End!

Southampton won the shoot-out. For some reason, the opposition players look more relaxed than England when they step upto the ball. I can usually tell which players will score by the way they approach the penalty.

Then: Did you ever get the better of Brian Clough?

Just the once. He invited a Labour MP to training and asked us to be photographed with him.

I refused, not because I am anti-Labour but I didn't see myself as wanting to get involved in politics and be pictured in that way. I got away with it.

It was a real shock when Brian died last year, he was the best manager I ever worked for.

Every day was different, every day was enjoyable at training. I was happy to do a lot of media interviews after his death to pay tribute to the great man.

Now: Your two sons are in football. How are they doing?

Both of them are midfield players I'm glad to say! Luke is 18 and in his final Scholarship year at Arsenal, he has played a couple of games in the reserves. His contract runs out in the summer and it will be a big decision for him and the club to make.

Arsenal have the best young players from all over the world so it's very hard to break in there now. Josh is 15 and has another 18 months at Reading, where I live, before they decide whether to give him a Scholarship.

Then: Were you better at Forest or United?

Definitely Forest. When I joined United, I was a box-to-box player who could score ten goals a season. But I got the Achilles injury very soon after arriving at Old Trafford and I don't think Alex Ferguson ever got the player he signed.

I developed into a more holding midfield player, able to create chances but not get into the penalty area to score goals.

I used to time my runs into midfield well but the injury prevented me from getting that initial push to take me into the area quickly

Now: Are you still a postman?

No, I left in June and joined the promotions department at Reading. I'm unemployed at the moment but my goal is to get a coaching job in football, I take my badges in May but I'll have to work at something else until then.

England players didn't earn £30,000 a week when I was at the top so I can't lie on a beach and take it easy.

Next week, I'm going to Canada for two Masters games organised by Paul Allen and the PFA. I've got myself fit and I am looking forward to the games in Calgary and Toronto.

Then: What do you remember about the young Ryan Giggs?

I was getting rehab at United's training ground on Saturday mornings so I would see the youth team play and you could see this kid was at a level above everyone else.

He had that ability to dribble at speed which is very rare. I was in the United team when he made his debut at 17, we beat Man City, and Ryan has done brilliant things since then.

The funny thing was Lee Sharpe was on the other flank at the time and looked the better prospect. He was a couple of years older and besides natural speed, Sharpey could deliver a telling cross which Ryan took time to learn.

Now: Do you keep in touch with your best mate at Forest, Stuart Pearce?

I haven't spoken to him for about a year! Football is like that, you are close pals and then the job takes you elsewhere.

I live in Reading and Stuart didn't live far away but now he's up in Manchester most of the time working for City. We joined Forest at around the same time and became friends. But it can be hard to keep in touch in football.