Gary Neville, a star at Manchester United, has finally agreed with a bold claim that his former partner Gerard Pique made about him playing in modern football.
As a player, Gary Neville spent his whole career at Old Trafford. He was a key member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous Manchester United teams.
The 49-year-old former United defender was part of the famous “Class of ’92” and worked his way up through the youth school before making the first team.
Neville had a great run at Old Trafford. He won eight Premier League titles, two Champions League awards, three FA Cups, and three League Cups.
After his time playing for England and United, Neville became a commentator and has been a mainstay on Sky Sports’ coverage of league games.
The legendary United player also worked as England’s assistant manager. Neville, on the other hand, had a terrible time as a boss after his time with Valencia.
Man Utd great Neville lets it slip
However, Gary Neville knows all too well what is expected of current full-backs in football, even though he played 602 times for Manchester United.
The former United captain went on The Overlap and talked to Trent Alexander-Arnold, a star full-back for Liverpool who has been praised for his skills.
A modern full-back like Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown that he can do a lot of different things. He has done great as a right-back and in centre for Liverpool.
Neville said he wasn’t sure if he would have “even survived” as a right back if he played football now because of how hard it is on players.
“For some reason, I always think that if I could go back in time, I’d go forward. Every time I watch a team, the fullbacks make me wonder how I would have survived,” he said.
“Forget watching you; the way you pass the ball is crazy. I’m watching [Pedro] Porro at Spurs go into midfield and do what he does rather.”
As [Destiny] Udogie watches John Stones play middle for City right now, he has to tuck in and then get back out again. This means Kyle Walker has to do the same thing.
“My job was very easy. I’ll tuck around if my left back goes forward. If I move forward, he’ll tuck around. If it’s on my side, I’ll go after him.
“I play a very methodical game. What you’re being asked to do now with the ball and the positions you’re being asked to take up are about as hard as what I was asked to play the game at this level of difficulty.”
“So, I really wish I were here right now—you [Trent] would love to see me now, to watch me suffer!”
“So you’ll say, ‘You won’t be gobbling up anymore!'” Just being honest, I look at all of you and think, “The game? I have nothing to do with that.”
What Piqué said about Neville
Gerard Pique went through the United youth school after being signed by the Red Devils from Barcelona’s famous La Masia programme.
Pique, who is 37 years old and from Spain, couldn’t become a regular player under Sir Alex Ferguson. He returned to the Camp Nou in 2008 for only £5 million.
Pique, who had a famous career at Barcelona, has said in the past that Neville might have had trouble adjusting to the way football is played now if he had played.
He told talkSPORT last month, “I think football has grown so much in the last few years.”
“I don’t think any centre back, right back, left back, or goalkeeper from the 1990s could play now.”
“Not because they weren’t good, because they were good, but because the way we play is so different.”
“Back in the 1990s, all a custodian had to do was save the ball. Now you have to play with your feet, which they weren’t taught how to do.”
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