Parker picks scariest Class of '92 player

Monday 28 February 2022 17:30

You might think you know everything about Manchester United's Class of ’92, after their glittering football careers and numerous recent TV shows.

The genius of Paul Scholes, the longevity of Ryan Giggs, the marvellous dead-ball ability of David Beckham. We could go on…
 
But in the latest UTD Podcast, we learned something new – specifically, that one member of the sextet was so strong and brave that he instantly managed to put fear in the hearts of some of the senior players!

Former Reds right-back Paul Parker explained all in our new episode, after initially being asked about Gary Neville taking his place in the starting XI.
UTD Podcast: Paul Parker v Gary Neville Video

UTD Podcast: Paul Parker v Gary Neville

In his UTD Podcast, Paul Parker recalls being challenged for his place by Gary Neville as the Class of '92 emerged...

“The boss would introduce them as ‘the players that were going to take your place’,” smiled Parker. “One hundred per cent. That's how it was!
 
“The best player out of all of them was Scholesy. Scholesy stuck out like a sore thumb, without a doubt, with the ability and what he had.
 
“But Nicky Butt... people started realising what Butty was, and you were scared of him! He was that tough, mentally and physically. He wasn't scared of anybody and would stand his ground with anybody.”
Parker had a soft spot for Butt as the Gorton-born Red was responsible for cleaning his boots, before the midfielder made his ascent to the first team.
 
“Nicky cleaned my boots, so Butty was just a lovely lad,” he continued. “I used to give him boots as well. The boots I used to wear when I came in, he used to always have a pair of them. 
 
“I used to get him initially to wear my ones in for me. Size seven! Butty used to wear them in for me and I'd give him a pair of boots as well, and give him some of my kit.”
"They were really nice kids" - Class of '92 members Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
Our 57-year-old guest, who won two Premier League titles with United before joining Derby County in the summer of 1996, believes the key ingredient in the Class of ’92’s success was their obvious passion for the club.
 
“They all supported the team, and they were all in awe of the first team,” Parker remembered.
 
“They were all really, really nice kids, and you can see that with what they became, and how they all conducted themselves. And when they played, not one of them let this club down. You must say that about all of them.”

The Paul Parker episode of UTD Podcast is available now in the United App.

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