Red Nev, with thanks

Gary Neville, Manchester United right back and former club captain, has announced his retirement from the game. The news came as no surprise given that Gary has been struggling with injury for several seasons. Few would deny that Gary has been key to United’s success in the Premier League. A true one club player, he was one of the golden generation of United’s early 90s youth team that conquered all before them, before busting into the first team alongside Scholes, Butt, Beckham and his younger brother Phil.

Gary became club captain in 2005 and won every domestic honour in the game as well as being part of the magnificent 1999 treble winning side. A rock solid defender, he was also renowned for his overlapping wing play, accurate crossing and for the partnership he developed with David Beckham on United’s and England’s right side.

At international level, Neville made his debut in 1995 and is England’s most capped right back. He gained the nickname Red Nev as leader of a group of England players threatening to go on strike over the suspension of Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test. Never short of an opinion, not least about Liverpool FC, he is an articulate and thoughtful student of the game and will have no trouble developing a career as a manager, commentator or future leader of Unite the trade union.

No longer will the Theatre of Dreams resound to the chants of ‘Neville, Neville’ to the tune of David Bowie’s Rebel, Rebel. So thank you Gary, a true Red Devil.

A brief reminder of Gary Neville’s honours:

• Premier League 8
• FA Cup 3
• League Cup 2
• EUEFA Champions League 1
• Club appearances 602
• International appearances 85
• PFA Team of the Year 5