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.