Gary Neville retired!

Gary Neville has retired from professional football after serving Manchester United for 20 years. He's one of the best right backs to have played in England. Very passionate about the game, loves the club and simply a red through and through. You will be missed, Gary!

Gary Neville has retired from football after almost 20 years playing at Manchester United.

Gary signed for United in July 1991 and was part of the famous Class of ’92 that won the FA Youth Cup in 1992. He then became a first-team regular alongside his teammates from that side, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, his brother Philip and David Beckham.

In his time at Old Trafford, Gary played 602 games and scored seven goals. He has won the Champions League, eight Premier League trophies, three FA Cups, two League Cups, the Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. He became club captain in 2005.

Gary won 85 caps for England between 1995 and 2007, playing in two World Cups (1998 and 2006) and three European Championships (1996, 2000 and 2004).

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He has decided to stay with the club until the end of the season to complete his coaching badges and others, but has retired from playing with immediate effect. After the news that we're losing Edwin van der Sar after this season, and now Neville, I really hope that Paul Scholes would sign a one-year extension. We already have Ryan Giggs until the end of next season. This just feels horrible because you just know Scholes and Giggs would retire pretty soon, too! I just can't bear losing VDS, Neville and Scholes in the same season! So please, Scholesy, at least one more year!

A nice little bit:

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the natural ability of Gary Neville when it comes to a future career of being a manager. Fergie admits that he gets nervous when GNev comes to his office to fight a youngster’s corner.

“He has definitely got coaching qualities,” said Ferguson. “He’s a leader and already looks after the young players at the club. I don’t know why they’ve got Gary. The ones he’s looked after owe him a large debt. When I see him about to come into my office on their behalf I think ‘crikey here we go’. But really I’d rather deal with him because I know he’s looking after the player’s interests.”