Neville: That song should never change!
Gary Neville played a huge part in establishing the Stone Roses’ track This is the One as the walkout song at Old Trafford.
Neville, who was Roy Keane’s successor as club captain when the legendary Irish midfielder departed in 2005, wanted a song that reflected the true authentic spirit of the city of Manchester.
He chose a tune from the band’s iconic 1989 album and, in an interview to celebrate the release of the United x adidas x Stone Roses collection, our former right-back explains why it has become such a special part of the matchday experience.
“This is the One has stood the test of time because it's a great song,” Neville explains. “That's it first and foremost, and that album is legendary.
Neville describes power of ‘This is the One’
‘An out-of-body feeling’ | Gary Neville on the impact of United’s walkout song and why he was like bass player Mani…
“But Manchester United helps keep it alive every single week. I'm up there now on the gantry and that guitar starts to play, and that moment still gives you goosebumps.
“If you're a Manchester United fan and you hear that song, then you know it's time for the match to start.
“You can have good times and bad times. But still, every United fan that walks over that forecourt into that stadium has a dream and hope that they're going to see something special.
“The song that's played in the tunnel is the start of that moment.”
The Roses were formed in Manchester in 1983 and three-quarters of the line-up are Reds, with lead singer Ian Brown and bass guitarist Mani regularly attending games at Old Trafford.
Neville, as a local lad himself, recognised this grounding in the city but says the song also appealed to those from far and wide who ended up calling Manchester home.
“When I changed it all those years ago, we were listening to [the theme from the film] Rocky. I mean, I love Rocky, don't get me wrong, what a hero Rocky is, but he's from Philadelphia. He isn't from Manchester. We have to have something here that's authentic.
“Authenticity is everything in this city, and we've got great musicians and great songs, and that one is perfect for Old Trafford.
“Our dressing room had a group of local lads who were in love with this club and love with this city, but then you had people from all around the country that felt the same, and then you had people from all around Europe and the world who came here and became Mancs.
“The manager used to say to us, immerse yourself in this club, immerse yourself in this city.
“So this idea that you're Mancunian, you're from the Greater Manchester area, you're a local lad and you've got a song that's so important, with lyrics that are amazing.”
Repping the Roses
GalleryPre-match gear doesn't come much more iconic than our collaboration with adidas and The Stone Roses.
It’s now getting on for two decades that United have been walking out to This is the One and naturally Neville wants the connection to remain for years and years to come.
“That song should never, ever be moved from that position of being the song that Manchester United walk out to, you know?” he added.
“For me, Manchester United is the one. That's it. Simple as that.
“The bond between the song This Is the One and Manchester United cannot be broken. You cannot change that anymore.
“It's part of what Manchester United is and I'm all for thinking forward, being modern. But there are some things that you have to respect. This is the One is one of those things.”
The full interview with Gary can be read in the March edition of Inside United, the club’s official monthly magazine. Get your copy now.