Gary Neville’s style might not be as easy on the eye as
some of his fellow Class of ’92 performers. But his
steel has been just as important to United’s success as the
silk of his more glamorous colleagues.
That’s the opinion of ex-Reds full-back Arthur Albiston.
Neville’s landmark 600th United appearance – at Stoke last Sunday –
was an inauspicious occasion and passed without much
celebration.
In fact, as he became the fifth member of Old Trafford’s elite band
of 600-plus appearance- makers, the event was bathed in
controversy.
In lining up at the Britannia Stadium he joined Ryan Giggs, Sir
Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes and Paul Scholes in that
exclusive group of Reds.
He bagged a yellow card, escape what most saw as a deserved red and
was hauled off at half time by Sir Alex Ferguson after referee
Andre Marriner said he’d be dismissed if he committed another
foul.
That marking of the milestone didn’t do justice to the career of
United’s former captain, who made his senior debut against Torpedo
Moscow in December 1992.
But while his fellow former FA Youth Cup-winning pals like Ryan
Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham might be the headline
stealers, Albiston says Neville has been a vital component of the
Reds success.
“Gary Neville has made the right-back position look simple and
believe me is not an easy job at,” said Albiston, who tied up Old
Trafford’s left-back role for 485 matches in the 70s and 80s.
“He has never tried anything he is not capable of and that is why
he makes it look so effortless and straight-forward.
“United, of course, have always been associated with flair players.
The crowd absolutely love them. Reds fans adore their wingers,
strikers and creative midfielders.
“From Gary’s era you have Giggs, Scholes and Beckham who are all
very easy on the eye and watchable. But you cannot have a team
without a Gary Neville character in it. He’s been the heartbeat of
United. I have always felt a lot more comfortable watching United
when Gary is in the side. That’s because you know he is going to be
on at his fellow defenders and also the referee. Nobody gets an
easy ride.
Organisation
“You don’t want a quiet defence and sometimes I think without Gary
United are a shade too quiet. His organisational skills are
vital.
“If you are not naturally vocal then it is difficult, but you have
to have a person like Gary with his non-stop chatter on the pitch
keeping people alert and focused.
“I think he has said it himself in the past that his ability was
natural in the same players like Giggs, Scholes and Beckham’s
talents were.
“He had to show determination and fight to make it
at Manchester United. But those assets are
as important as anything else.
“Eric Harrison was his youth team boss at United and if you talk to
him, he’d tell you that if he ever wanted to hold up any player as
an example to up-and- coming hopefuls, then it would be Gary
Neville.
“His hunger and determination to succeed makes him the number one
in that respect.
“I think over the last two or three years, ever since he’s picked
up injuries following the ankle ligament damage he suffered
playing against Bolton in March 2007, people have appreciated him
more.
“You can sometimes value players like Gary more and what they bring
to a side after you watch the team without them in it.
“England have not yet replaced him properly and it is not going to
be easy for United to replace him long-term when he finally calls
it a day.
“Players with his drive and enthusiasm and ability to hold down a
place at Old Trafford for over 600 games over a period of 18 years
don’t come along every five minutes.”
Manchester Evening News.