OLD Trafford star Gary Neville hailed Wanderers' "fantastic" manager Sam Allardyce writes Neil Bonnar

The United and England defender even likened Big Sam to his own legendary manager Alex Ferguson and said Wanderers would be mad to ever let him go.

Bolton-based Neville believes Wanderers' magnificent run of success over the last two years is cast iron evidence of Allardyce's ability.

And in an exclusive interview with the Bolton Evening News he admitted he would love it if Bolton defied the critics and odds and won their battle to stay in the Premiership.

The 26-year-old full back lines up against Wanderers at Old Trafford tomorrow full of admiration for the job Allardyce and his charges have done this season.

He said: "Bolton have had a fantastic start and surprised everybody, probably even themselves.

"They will not need any motivating against us tomorrow and we know we will be in for a hard game.

"They've suffered a bit of a dip recently against Sunderland and Newcastle but they have a very good away record and we have to make sure we guard against complacency.

"Their success has been based on working very hard, team spirit and a fantastic manager.

"Sam Allardyce may not be the most fashionable manager but he works for Bolton and if you have a manager that works for your team you do not let him go.

"I think I'm right in saying that when he got the job there were a few doubters. He has proved those people wrong and he deserves the length of contract (10 years) he has got. "The sign of a good manager is when the players want to work for him. That's what we have got at Manchester United and it is obvious that the players at Bolton want to work for Sam.

"When you have got that you can achieve anything. It's been a part of our success because we don't want to let our manager down and the players at Bolton will feel the same about theirs.

"His record is unbelieveable."

While he hopes to end Wanderers' unbeaten away record in the Premiership tomorrow, Neville wants Wanderers to keep their success story running and achieve their number one priority of Premiership survival.

"I genuinely hope that Bolton do well - except for tomorrow - and I really want them to stay in the Premier League. It's a derby game and the more derbies the better," he added.

"But after slipping up a bit recently it's very important that they don't lose games. If they can get draws - even at home - instead of losing is so important because it might only be a point but it can give you that bit of confidence you need.

"We know they will be motivated tomorrow because it's United. It's no disrespect to them but they feel more of a rivalry with us than we do with them. Where we look to Liverpool and Leeds as our main rivals they look to us."