Gary Neville

Went to an audience with him last night. Here are some highlights if anybody cares.

Spoke at length about his retirement. He said that he'd actually tried to retire at the start of that season, but Fergie talked him out of it. Gary knew his legs had gone but Fergie said he needed him in the dressing room, and he'd concoct a story telling everybody he was injured throughout the season, whenever asked. Told Gary to think it over and the next day David Gill rang him: "Alex said you're signing for another year so I've got your contract ready".

He only played 3 games that season. First against Everton which was 3-3 and he felt at fault for all the goals and Pienaar roasted him. Said Fergie laid into him at half time and Rio stood up and said one of them was his fault. Gary said that wasn't the case but admired Rio for supporting him.

Against Stoke he was stood by the touchline and Phelan came close and said "you're £#%&!ed aren't you?" He got hooked at half time.

Said Fergie was big on characters and that's why he got Scholes back, and often kept big characters around for their contribution to the dressing room even when they couldn't perform week in week out anymore.

Said in every single game he played for United, Fergie would stand outside the dressing room door as the opposition and officials walked out, to intimidate them. He knew his own power and used it every time he could. Said it often worked against young players and officials.

Hopes Liverpool get hammered next Saturday which got a few cheers.

He likes the England squad and thinks Southgate has picked an exciting squad, and made some brave omissions.

Asked about if he's ever felt invincible on the pitch and immediately answered the 99 cup final v Newcastle. Said the whole team were full of confidence at the time but personally it's the best he's ever felt on the pitch. Every pass and tackle was perfect and it's clear that game has stuck in his memory.

Talked at length about Fergies approaches to games. Said no matter how good the opposition were, the onus remained on how we could damage them, rather than how to defend against them.

If there was a particular dangerman Fergie would instruct Neville, Stam, Keane and Beckham to keep close, gave an example of Del Piero where those 4 would be close when ADP had the ball, and work together to get it off him, then go and play.

Said Fergie used the term "attend to". Gary, you attend to Totti tonight. Came across quite funny as he kept saying attend to. It was clear he has such admiration for Fergie and loved talking about him.

Said he had the easiest job in the world at Old Trafford: "Give it to Beckham", then "Give it to Ronaldo".

Said with Fergie and Gill going within 3 weeks of each other made it really difficult to maintain momentum. Those two ran the club from top to bottom and there's been a lack of clear direction since that we're only just beginning to recover from.

United ST holder stood up and said he's not enjoyed going this season. Gary agreed. Said he's been going for 25 years and this season is the first time he's not looked forward to games. Did say that with 3 manager's and the changes upstairs, plus the rise of city, it's not an easy job to compete, but wants to see more attacking football next season.

One of our group was a Liverpool fan and he said it was really interesting too. Coming out everybody was positive about it. With the cameras off he's a captivating speaker, and swears like a trooper. He's a top top red but more than that, he's obsessed with football and consistently interesting to listen to. If you ever get a chance to listen to him, go for it.

Cheer for taking the time to type that up for us Switchers. Good man.

Good read, nice one switchers.

nrat

Because I already have Good stuff Switchers.

Brilliant Switchers, cheers.

Originally Posted by Switching Off

Went to an audience with him last night. Here are some highlights if anybody cares.

Spoke at length about his retirement. He said that he'd actually tried to retire at the start of that season, but Fergie talked him out of it. Gary knew his legs had gone but Fergie said he needed him in the dressing room, and he'd concoct a story telling everybody he was injured throughout the season, whenever asked. Told Gary to think it over and the next day David Gill rang him: "Alex said you're signing for another year so I've got your contract ready".

He only played 3 games that season. First against Everton which was 3-3 and he felt at fault for all the goals and Pienaar roasted him. Said Fergie laid into him at half time and Rio stood up and said one of them was his fault. Gary said that wasn't the case but admired Rio for supporting him.

Against Stoke he was stood by the touchline and Phelan came close and said "you're f***ed aren't you?" He got hooked at half time.

Said Fergie was big on characters and that's why he got Scholes back, and often kept big characters around for their contribution to the dressing room even when they couldn't perform week in week out anymore.

Said in every single game he played for United, Fergie would stand outside the dressing room door as the opposition and officials walked out, to intimidate them. He knew his own power and used it every time he could. Said it often worked against young players and officials.

Hopes Liverpool get hammered next Saturday which got a few cheers.

He likes the England squad and thinks Southgate has picked an exciting squad, and made some brave omissions.

Asked about if he's ever felt invincible on the pitch and immediately answered the 99 cup final v Newcastle. Said the whole team were full of confidence at the time but personally it's the best he's ever felt on the pitch. Every pass and tackle was perfect and it's clear that game has stuck in his memory.

Talked at length about Fergies approaches to games. Said no matter how good the opposition were, the onus remained on how we could damage them, rather than how to defend against them.

If there was a particular dangerman Fergie would instruct Neville, Stam, Keane and Beckham to keep close, gave an example of Del Piero where those 4 would be close when ADP had the ball, and work together to get it off him, then go and play.

Said Fergie used the term "attend to". Gary, you attend to Totti tonight. Came across quite funny as he kept saying attend to. It was clear he has such admiration for Fergie and loved talking about him.

Said he had the easiest job in the world at Old Trafford: "Give it to Beckham", then "Give it to Ronaldo".

Said with Fergie and Gill going within 3 weeks of each other made it really difficult to maintain momentum. Those two ran the club from top to bottom and there's been a lack of clear direction since that we're only just beginning to recover from.

United ST holder stood up and said he's not enjoyed going this season. Gary agreed. Said he's been going for 25 years and this season is the first time he's not looked forward to games. Did say that with 3 manager's and the changes upstairs, plus the rise of city, it's not an easy job to compete, but wants to see more attacking football next season.

One of our group was a Liverpool fan and he said it was really interesting too. Coming out everybody was positive about it. With the cameras off he's a captivating speaker, and swears like a trooper. He's a top top red but more than that, he's obsessed with football and consistently interesting to listen to. If you ever get a chance to listen to him, go for it.

Good post, very interesting, thanks.

Could you have not recorded it on your phone?

Fergie standing outside the changing rooms

The whole 2 weeks things was a scam from the start.

Love G. Nev.

Helps that I rarely watch him on Sky tbf.

Originally Posted by Lazlo Panaflex

The whole 2 weeks things was a scam from the start.

That tackle by that yonner @#%&! was the beginning of the end nqat

Great stuff, cheers Switchers

Fergie was big on characters he really did know if a player was up for the challenges of playing for United didn’t he, and more often than not he got it right. Compare that to some of the absolute shit the beds we’ve signed over the last few years

“Attend to”

Originally Posted by Lazlo Panaflex

The whole 2 weeks things was a scam from the start.

Shades of Mr Grady, the "attend to" bit....

https://youtu.be/ITtiKO_fBaI

Which game was it that Fergie made Neville go out for 2nd half and brought him off before it kicked off?

That's great, thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by Lazlo Panaflex

The whole 2 weeks things was a scam from the start.

cheers switchers


would have done one for the Martin Edwards thing I was at a few months ago, problem is there was £#%&! all insight - he was basically just defending every decision he ever made, saying it was for the 'good of the club' and told us stories already known about the cantona signing. cheers m8 won't be buying your book.

Cheers Switchers.

Great read that, thanks Switchers.

Thanks Switchers. Great post.

Originally Posted by dragflick

Fergie standing outside the changing rooms

Fergie. Absolutely untouchable ffs


Love the bit about Nev, Becks, Stam & Keano ganging up on opposition star players
Absolute state of the calibre of players we used to have ffs