Gary Neville to continue absence from Monday Night Football as Sky Sports role changes

Gary Neville is scaling back his role on Monday Night Football with Sky Sports as he seeks to focus on new ventures, including projects in the United States.

The ex-Manchester United skipper is keen to dedicate more time to initiatives like The Overlap US and his punditry work for NBC Sports' Premier League coverage.

Neville, who took over from Andy Gray as MNF's match analyst at the start of the 2011/12 season, later became the show's co-presenter with Ed Chamberlin, before Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher joined them in 2015. Despite their differing opinions, Neville and Carragher have formed a strong on-screen partnership.

However, Neville's appearances on MNF have decreased lately, with Carragher stepping up since Neville's last appearance in mid-August.

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."

His gradual withdrawal from MNF began last year, allowing Carragher to take a more central role this season.

The presenter may still make occasional appearances on the show, but the programme will now largely focus on special guest appearances rather than the Neville and Carragher partnership that was prevalent in previous years. It is understood that Neville may also be used for co-commentary from time to time, but he may not be in the studio alongside Carragher and the other pundits.

However, Neville remains one of Sky's most senior football pundits. He will continue appearing on their Friday Night Football, Saturday Night Football and Super Sunday broadcasts while