Everton captain Phil Neville has ruled out ever playing for, or going on to manage, Manchester City.

The former Manchester United defender, who had an 11-year spell at Old Trafford, says his conscience would not allow him to work across the city.

Neville, 32, made his personal feelings known ahead of the meeting between United and Everton on Saturday in a revealing interview on BBC Radio Manchester.

He said: "Joining City is not something that will ever happen. When you have got red blood you cannot see yourself with blue blood.

"You go there and they have blue ketchup... it's just like 'What are they doing?'.

"I am not being disrespectful to City. I grew up a Red, hating Manchester City. When I go back with Everton I get absolutely slaughtered.

"It makes me laugh in a way because I understand what they are feeling. I think it is fantastic as it makes football special."

Neville is pessimistic about making his comeback from a serious knee injury on his old stomping ground.

He said: "It was nine weeks ago on Sunday when the surgeon told me I would be out for 12 weeks.

"Then I looked at the calendar and saw it was ten weeks until United and felt it was fate calling. I thought that would be my comeback game.

"But as the time has got closer and closer... (I) have still got to overcome so many obstacles.

"I have managed to start running, kick a ball, twist and turn. But if you are not tackling four days before a Manchester United game it is going to be a miracle to play on Saturday. But you never say never."

Neville added: "Emotionally, I am fine, and I want Everton to win without a shadow of a doubt. We need the points.

"When it comes to these games, the excitement to me is running out at Old Trafford again. It is the best stadium in the world."