Neville: It's important we tell the story of youth
Gary Neville recently returned to Old Trafford with his iconic Class of 92’ team-mates to launch a new adidas trainer, which celebrates the 25-year anniversary of their graduation into the Manchester United first team. During a Q&A at a special launch event, the former right-back discussed his Academy education and standout memories…
You hold a special connection with the Manchester United fans, and now you’ve been recognised in a shoe…
It’s quite incredible. You can sit here and say our time is over, but when you look at the guys in the current team – McTominay, Rashford, Lingard – and the milestone that has just been reached for 80 years of consecutive games with youth team players in the squad – you can see it is important that United continue to tell the story of youth. Particularly in a time where it is more difficult to break into the first team, so I don’t think we should let the candle burn out. Ultimately, we need to keep reminding people about the importance of producing young players and local players who’ve grown up loving the club. You can even look at Tottenham – you’ve got to respect what they’re doing – or Southampton and the other clubs that produce a lot of young players. They connect with the fans.
It’s quite incredible. You can sit here and say our time is over, but when you look at the guys in the current team – McTominay, Rashford, Lingard – and the milestone that has just been reached for 80 years of consecutive games with youth team players in the squad – you can see it is important that United continue to tell the story of youth. Particularly in a time where it is more difficult to break into the first team, so I don’t think we should let the candle burn out. Ultimately, we need to keep reminding people about the importance of producing young players and local players who’ve grown up loving the club. You can even look at Tottenham – you’ve got to respect what they’re doing – or Southampton and the other clubs that produce a lot of young players. They connect with the fans.
The Ninety-Two
GalleryAdidas has revealed a limited edition trainer celebrating the 25th anniversary of the famous class of ’92.
What made the Academy so special at the time you broke through?
I suppose when you look back – the Academy has always been special for United. You look at the Busby Babes, and then you come into when we were growing up – Whiteside, Hughes – these are some of the greatest players Manchester United have ever had. Sir Bobby Charlton, people like that, so you’re referring back to history all the time. I always think of the blazer, being in the youth team, wearing that blazer, you think of the Busby Babes wearing that United blazer, and the first team now. I still see them going to games now, and the staff. That is the history, the principles, the values that should never change. That’s why the Cliff is so special. And what else was special was the coaches we had. We had Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd –brilliant coaches and players – two United greats who were both European cup winners, and World Cup winners. It was a really special time.
I suppose when you look back – the Academy has always been special for United. You look at the Busby Babes, and then you come into when we were growing up – Whiteside, Hughes – these are some of the greatest players Manchester United have ever had. Sir Bobby Charlton, people like that, so you’re referring back to history all the time. I always think of the blazer, being in the youth team, wearing that blazer, you think of the Busby Babes wearing that United blazer, and the first team now. I still see them going to games now, and the staff. That is the history, the principles, the values that should never change. That’s why the Cliff is so special. And what else was special was the coaches we had. We had Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd –brilliant coaches and players – two United greats who were both European cup winners, and World Cup winners. It was a really special time.
Class of '92 reunited
GalleryOur six club legends returned to Old Trafford for the first time since 2011 to launch the adidas Ninety-Two range.
You were told there was a one per cent chance you’d make it to the first team – but six of you managed it. Will it ever happen again?
I think this is the type of club that could do it – but it would be difficult. England have just won the Under-17s World Cup and I think when you win trophies at the youth stage, it gives you confidence and belief. With belief as a young person, nothing can stop you. You give a young person belief and confidence, and they’ll do anything. They’ll run through walls for you. This is the type of club that could do that, whether it’s three or four players, it could happen again – but it’s difficult. There’s pressure on managers and owners to win the league, or to stay in the league for the monetary value. The manager will maybe think, ‘can I cope with the mistakes a young lad will make or do I go with the experienced lad’. That’s where Sir Alex had courage – if you think about the players he got rid of to make way for us - they were some of the best players the club had ever had. But that’s where he had belief and we had that belief. Like I say, I hope it happens, but it will be difficult.
I think this is the type of club that could do it – but it would be difficult. England have just won the Under-17s World Cup and I think when you win trophies at the youth stage, it gives you confidence and belief. With belief as a young person, nothing can stop you. You give a young person belief and confidence, and they’ll do anything. They’ll run through walls for you. This is the type of club that could do that, whether it’s three or four players, it could happen again – but it’s difficult. There’s pressure on managers and owners to win the league, or to stay in the league for the monetary value. The manager will maybe think, ‘can I cope with the mistakes a young lad will make or do I go with the experienced lad’. That’s where Sir Alex had courage – if you think about the players he got rid of to make way for us - they were some of the best players the club had ever had. But that’s where he had belief and we had that belief. Like I say, I hope it happens, but it will be difficult.
Gary Neville says
"It is important that United continue to tell the story of youth. I don’t think we should let the candle burn out."
Academy prospect Angel Gomes has just won the Under-17s World Cup: does it help a young player to be involved internationally if he wants to play for United, or is it hard to balance it?
I think as soon as you play for United, with respect to England, you’re normally going to play for England – something has gone wrong if you’re playing for United and not for England. I can’t think of many players that were English that didn’t. Because there aren’t many English players at those top six clubs, which is a big problem. Obviously I was with England for four years and picking players continuously that were subs for their clubs all the time, because they weren’t getting a chance, weren’t getting in the team. But we were left with no other option. When I was a player, we were lucky to win the England Under-18s when we were younger and that was really good for us. And when you look at these lads now, I hope they get the same opportunity, I hope there are owners and managers with the guts to put them in, because they will do well. That’s a fact – they will do well. It is just whether they’ll get the chance.
I think as soon as you play for United, with respect to England, you’re normally going to play for England – something has gone wrong if you’re playing for United and not for England. I can’t think of many players that were English that didn’t. Because there aren’t many English players at those top six clubs, which is a big problem. Obviously I was with England for four years and picking players continuously that were subs for their clubs all the time, because they weren’t getting a chance, weren’t getting in the team. But we were left with no other option. When I was a player, we were lucky to win the England Under-18s when we were younger and that was really good for us. And when you look at these lads now, I hope they get the same opportunity, I hope there are owners and managers with the guts to put them in, because they will do well. That’s a fact – they will do well. It is just whether they’ll get the chance.
What’s your favourite memory of United?
I have to say those 10 days of winning the Treble. I do remember little bits, snippets of what happened. I remember Tottenham scoring the goal like it was yesterday and thinking ‘oh no’. I remember the last few minutes, holding on, thinking ‘if we concede a goal here we’ve lost the league’. The semi-final against Arsenal was the most special game I’ve ever played in, actually, so I’ll bring that in as well. It was by far the best game of football I’ve ever played in. It was just incredible. It was the last-ever FA Cup semi-final replay and what a way to end it. A pitch invasion at the end, the United fans on the pitch, winning it at the end... with a half decent goal!
I have to say those 10 days of winning the Treble. I do remember little bits, snippets of what happened. I remember Tottenham scoring the goal like it was yesterday and thinking ‘oh no’. I remember the last few minutes, holding on, thinking ‘if we concede a goal here we’ve lost the league’. The semi-final against Arsenal was the most special game I’ve ever played in, actually, so I’ll bring that in as well. It was by far the best game of football I’ve ever played in. It was just incredible. It was the last-ever FA Cup semi-final replay and what a way to end it. A pitch invasion at the end, the United fans on the pitch, winning it at the end... with a half decent goal!
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