Owen, 29, has won 89 caps for England and scored 40 goals but has played only once under current boss Fabio Capello.

But Neville, who is also battling to force his way back into England’s squad in time for the World Cup next year, says Owen is at the right club to achieve his World Cup dream.

The United full-back trained with his new clubmate yesterday before visiting Hawthorns Community School in Manchester to present an award on behalf of WellChild – a children’s charity backed by contributiions from the Team England Footballers Charity. And he sees no reason why Owen cannot become an England contender in future if he is a success at Old Trafford.

He said: “It’s difficult for me to suggest whether a player is going to get picked for a tournament next year, that will be up to the manager. But anybody who plays for Manchester United over a season has a great chance of getting into an international team no matter whether it be England or any other country.

“It’s a hard club to play for and if you are playing well and doing well then you have a great chance of getting into your national team.”

Owen’s move to Old Trafford from Newcastle United is one of the talking points of the summer but with England close to qualifying for the World Cup Finals next year Neville knows the move could benefit not just club but also country.

He added: “Look, I don’t think Michael moved to Manchester United for England – he’s moved to improve Manchester United.

“But I’ve always said if you are playing for United then you have a great chance of being in the England squad – and that’s for any player. Michael is in the same position as everybody else who plays for United. The opportunity is there for him.”

Neville believes the same opportunity is also there for himself after he earned a shock call-up for last month’s games against Kazakhstan and Andorra – more than two years after his last appearance for England back in February 2007.

The right-back, who has 85 caps, didn’t get on the pitch in either match but believes he can now put injury problems behind him to challenge in future.

“I have an opportunity,” he insisted. “If you had asked me six months ago I would have said very little chance. But having been picked at the end of the season I’ll probably say I have more of a chance.

“But there’s still a long way to go for anyone who thinks they can be in the squad. There will be players who think they are nailed-on certainties and then an injury will occur – it always happens. And there will be some players who maybe haven’t even thought about it who will come to the fore this season and grasp the opportunity.

“There’s a chance there for everybody and I just have to play well for United and take my chances to get into the team.

“I like playing for England and I want to be there. It’s been a frustration not winning anything with England and not getting to finals but there’s still a chance there for me.”

Neville believes both he and Owen can take inspiration from the way his great friend David Beckham has come back from the international wilderness to be a key part of Capello’s squad.

Beckham was jettisoned by previous manager Steve McClaren after the World Cup Finals in 2006 but eventually forced his way back into contention and is now a regular under Capello.

Neville said: “You just have to keep going. The lads who are brought through at United are taught to keep going and never give up. You are told to do your all and if that’s good enough it will take you places.

“That’s what David has done – he’s done really well getting back in and not giving up when he was out of the team.

“It doesn’t surprise me. But a lot of players are similar – you get ups and downs in your career. Over a 10-15 year career you have periods where you are not flavour of the month or you’re not selected or you get injured but that’s football. You have to fight to come back.”

The only problem for Neville is he now has some serious rivals for his right-back position, including current first choice Glen Johnson who has just earned a big-money move to Liverpool from Portsmouth.

He said: “I think there always have been a few rivals. I think in the last two games, particularly the second one, Glen Johnson did really well. And he’s now got a move to a big football club so that will help him in his development.

“Wes Brown had a difficult season with injury but he’s started pre-season again and will be looking to come back too. There is competition and there should be. I don’t think that’s something to worry about, we all just have to concentrate on our own jobs and what comes will come.

“You can’t afford to think about what’s going on elsewhere. We’re all experienced enough to know that. It’s important to play well for your club and once you’ve done that it’s a bonus if you can get in the England team.”

http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/2009/NevilleMOwen.aspx

Read more about Premier League here

Buy tickets here