‘Mr Man Utd’ Gary Neville Announces Retirement, Aged 35

Chris Wright

3rd, February 2011

18 Comments

By Chris Wright

Gary Neville has confirmed that, after making 602 appearances for Manchester United over the course of an illustrious 20-year one-club career, he is to retire from football with immediate effect.

With Giggs and Scholes plodding on at Old Trafford, Becks still harbouring dreams of World Cup glory, Nicky Butt banging them in for fun out in Hong Kong and brother Phil still skippering Everton, Neville becomes the first of Sir Alex Ferguson’s oft-lauded ‘kids’ to call time on their career  – with a recent string of debilitating injuries (he’s only played 33 times in the last four years) eventually proving to be insurmountable for the 35-year-old stalwart.

Speaking via the club’s official website, Neville said:

“I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had.

“I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end. However, it comes to us all and it’s knowing when that time is and for me that time is now.

“I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to be a part of the team’s achievements and the club’s great success.

“There are so many people I want to thank and of course top of that list is my manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years. He is truly one of the greatest managers and I have to thank him for that.

“There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play alongside. The experiences we’ve shared will be with me for the rest of my life.

“I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward.

“However, the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan.”

Sir Alex also used the occasion to mark Neville as ‘the best English right-back of his generation’ – a point that is nigh-on impossible to argue with, both for club and country.

His international successor Glen Johnson just can’t hold a candle to the levels of reliability, professionalism, consistency and defensive nous that Neville afforded the national team during every single one of his 85 caps.

Well played Sir, well played.

It’s easy to forget that, behind all the badge-kissing, Scouse/City-baiting and ‘Mr United’ posturing, Neville was a fine player (in fact, ‘fine player’ doesn’t really do him justice) and certainly the best right-back the Premier League has seen since it’s inception in 1992.

What now for Red Nev? Well the smart money seems to be on him taking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s place at the helm of United’s reserve pool, though there are a couple of positions up for grabs over on Sky Sports at the moment…

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18 Comments

  1. […] 'Mr Man Utd' Gary Neville Announces Retirement, Aged 35 » Who Ate … Related Posts:Manchester United Veteran Gary Neville Announces Retirement … Old Trafford and […]

  2. RedSkywalker says:

    Good luck Nev, yesterday was a sad day. Brilliant player and professional.

    Look at Robbie Savage in the right of Becks!

  3. Chris says:

    @Red: Ha! I hadn’t even noticed! What a berk!

  4. Red Filip says:

    Words can not express what is Gary Neville to Manchester United and vice versa. The most loyal footballer ever to grace the Earth. Without a doubt the one half of the elite group called ” England’s Best Right Back “, sharing that privilege with Duncan Edwards , who is the other half.
    QUINTESSENTIAL !
    IRREPLACEABLE !
    UNIQUE !
    LOYAL !
    RED !
    LEGEND !
    Drowning myself in tears and sorrow, still in denial and hoping that all this is just a nightmare that will never come true. But, even though I still can’t believe it, I am shocked and in awe, even though I wish he waited to retire together with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, or at least at the end of this season just to pick up the record-breaking 19th trophy, to be the one to show our title to the whole wide world, we all have to respect his decision.
    Already dreaming of Gary Neville being given a coaching job instantly, with immediate effect !!!!!!
    My personal Hero, and my most favourite player ever,
    GARY NEVILLE
    I love you !!!!!!
    I wish You all the best in life, SIR GARY NEVILLE !!!!!!

  5. Donner Meat says:

    I for one am going to miss the bastard. Beating United will never be as fun again. Legend.

  6. Markell says:

    Goodbye, you red ratfaced bastard. But seriously, a good player, making a good choice at the proper moment in time. Worst of luck going forward, Gary.

  7. Montesquieu says:

    “The most loyal footballer ever to grace the Earth.”

    You are an idiot.

    He was a great player for United and a loyal one at that, but hardly the most loyal. There have been a dozen other one-club-men in the past.

  8. The Yank says:

    @Montesquieu

    You are the idiot. Name one player MORE loyal than Neville to United. Maldini, perhaps? Just as loyal. Del Piero? Just as loyal. No more, no less. You should be ashamed of yourself for insulting someone for displaying their love for a player, especially on grounds that are practically immeasurable. Grow up and keep your mouth shut.

    Neville may not be playing anymore, but his face will be seen around Old Trafford for years to come. Thanks for pissing off the Scousers, Gary.

  9. Bruno says:

    Cry us a river Yank. He was a one-club-man lucky enough to come through a big side’s ranks.

  10. Connor says:

    FEEEEEEEEEED THE GOAT AND HE WILL SCORE

  11. megaman789 says:

    Johnson ain’t right back material. More like a wing-back.
    Whereas Martin Kelly has a bright future and hes surely gonna go up with G Nev.

  12. baggees says:

    Awww look at ickle Paul scholes in that pic

  13. shay says:

    Neville wasn’t lucky, he was good.

  14. Mr. Volatile says:

    @red filip

    THE MOST LOYAL FOOTBALER MY ARSE! HE WAS SHIT NOBODY ELSE WANTED HIM!

  15. Roger says:

    Two Ginger Devils and a Token.

  16. Seanie-O says:

    @Mr. Volatile

    Nobody else wanted him? Well during his playing career, none of the other teams in England seemed to win very much. ‘Shit’ enough that he has only gone and retired as one of the most decorated players of all time.

  17. gamblino says:

    One of the most hated players of all time. I’d rather Robbie Savage! Can’t say that about many players.

  18. The Yank says:

    Boohoo Bruno

    Its easy to sort out the people who are truly ignorant about the game because they don’t understand the greatness of defenders. I’m sure you can lavish praise on whatever goal-poacher that tickles your fancy this week, but saying Neville’s career was “lucky” makes it clear the subtler aspects to the game are beyond you.

    Most of what I’m reading about Neville is absolute rubbish because either people don’t understand why he was great, or they are still pissed off/jealous, or both. Bottom line is he was good and that pissed people off.

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