Gary Neville's Monday Night Football absences explained after Sky Sports change

Gary Neville has been taking a gradual step back from his role on Monday Night Football to focus on new ventures in the United States, including Premier League coverage with NBC Sports.

The ex-Manchester United skipper has been a fixture on MNF since the 2011/12 season, when he took over Andy Gray's position as match analyst. By 2014, he was co-presenting with Ed Chamberlin, before Jamie Carragher joined the show the following year.

Despite differing opinions, Neville and Carragher have formed a strong on-screen partnership. However, Neville's presence on MNF has waned recently, with his last appearance dating back to mid-August - leaving Carragher to helm the show without his punditry pal.

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Speaking to Rebecca Lowe on the Overlap US YouTube channel, Neville explained: "So tomorrow, I'm expected to do set-pieces, whereas with Sky, on Monday Night Football, there are some set pieces which I prepare for - but now I don't do Monday Night Football anymore. I don't do set-pieces any more."

Neville began reducing his MNF commitments last year, allowing Carragher more of a leading role, a change that has become increasingly evident this season, reports Mirror Football. While Neville might still make occasional appearances, the show is expected to shift its focus towards featuring special guests rather than relying on the longstanding Neville-Carragher duo which was prevalent in years gone by. It is also understood that Neville and Sky see eye-to-eye on the change of arrangements.

Neville is expected to occasionally serve as a