Today's full-back is not only expected to contribute to his side keeping a clean sheet, the onus is also on him to get forward and chip in with the odd goal. That's the reason why Everton's Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines in particular have been lauded this season.
While Gary Neville was more than adequate when it came to linking up effectively with the winger in front of him during his days at Manchester United, it would be fair to say that finding the back of the net was not the defender's speciality.
Having made 113 appearances for the Red Devils prior to Middlesbrough's visit to Old Trafford 17 years ago today, the elder Neville brother was still waiting for his first senior goal. That was about to change, though, on a wet Manchester May Bank Holiday afternoon as United were pushed all the way by their relegation-threatened visitors.
Despite their lowly position, Boro, managed by United legend Bryan Robson, broke the deadlock with just 15 minutes on the clock. After a neat passing move, Brazilian playmaker Juninho sent Peter Schmeichel the wrong way with a composed finish from close range.
Roy Keane equalised in the 34th minute, but within the space of six minutes Middlesbrough had opened up a two-goal advantage. First, the flamboyant Emerson crashed his effort in off the underside of the crossbar before Craig Hignett got ahead of Neville to head in from six yards out.
In the 42nd minute, though, Neville went some way to atoning for that defensive lapse. Andy Cole picked out Eric Cantona, who in turn rolled the ball across the face of the penalty area for Neville. Rather than take a touch, from a narrowing angle the right-back hit a cleanly-struck shot past Boro goalkeeper Ben Roberts and inside the far post.
Neville then turned provider in the 67th minute as his cross from the right flank was headed off a skiddy surface and into the net by Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rescue a point for the home team.
The draw moved United four points clear of rivals Liverpool at the top of the table, but the point did little to bolster Boro's chances of survival. The result had left them three points from safety with two matches left to play.
MAN UNITED: Schmeichel; G Neville, May, Pallister, Irwin; Beckham, Johnsen (Scholes), Keane, Solskjaer; Cantona, Cole
MIDDLESBROUGH: Roberts; Fleming, Festa, Pearson, Stamp; Mustoe, Blackmore, Hignett, Emerson, Juninho; Ravanelli
Liam Apicella
