It was billed as The Battle of Britain: reigning English champions, Manchester United, versus reigning Scottish giants, Rangers, with vital points from a European Champions League group match hanging in the balance. And the man responsible for putting the Red Devils on top in this titanic struggle: Phil Neville... What? As Manchester United's proverbial jack-of-all-trades--and notoriously considered master of none even by supporters--Neville's starring role in this high-profile match could hardly have been less likely. But in a hard-fought game, where Swedish referee Anders Frisk allowed tough challanges in keeping with the full spirit of British football, Neville's unlikely dribble and slotted shot could persuade onlookers to believe he merits a return to the England international fold. h3. Better Team Shape for Sacrificing Flair? What strikes me odd about United's play in the post Beckham era is that the absence of more players featuring flair and creativity on the pitch has actually helped Sir Alex Ferguson's long standing desire to rely on a more methodical, "European", style of play for critical Champions League matches. Attacking midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, another creative player off to greener pastures at Chelsea this summer, was brought in a few years ago exclusively as a result of Fergie's conclusion that the all or nothing risk-taking of United's then trademark high-paced 4-4-2 formation was the reason for their failure to defend their Champions League title against the likes of Real Madrid. Only now that Veron too is gone, leaving the hard-nosed likes of Roy Keane, Nicky Butt and the repositioned Phil Neville to man the midfield, Manchester United have migrated to a more composed style of play that relies less on wingers (Ryan Giggs is now played in the hole between midfield and defenders rather than his traditonal role as an out and out left-winger) and can sustain possesion of the ball longer to better grind out results such as tonights. Obviously, the trade off to this style is that at times United lack the attacking swagger of past incarnations (at times only Giggs, Scholes and Van Nistlerooy press forward on the attack), but if it means a greater chance of success through the demanding two-leg, knock-out round ties that lead to the Champions League final, then I don't thnik any Manchester United supporter could complain. h3. Sweet Returns Perhaps the happiest man with this result must be Ferguson. Getting one over on a club you formerly played for is enviable indeed, but it must be made that much the sweeter because of his feeling that he never got a fair shot during his two years playing striker in Glasgow--in part because his wife is Catholic and Rangers fans and administration, predominantly Protestant, are notoriously harsh on members of the faith that is closely affiliated with rival club Celtic's supporters.