| Birthdate: | 18 Feb 1975 |
|---|---|
| Birthplace: | Bury |
| Position: | Defender |
| Appearances: | 540 |
| Joined United: | 08 Jul 1991 |
| United Debut: | 16 Sep 1992 v (H) Torpedo Moscow |
| International | England |
Gary Neville belongs to an elite group of players who have skippered the Reds to the Premiership title.
Following on from Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, Neville realised a lifelong dream as he became the fifth United captain to lift the Premiership trophy following the Reds' record ninth triumph at the end of the 2006/07 campaign.
The only real disappointment to be taken from United’s thrilling title charge was the fact that the Reds' were missing their inspirational captain for the final stages of the campaign. Neville suffered ankle ligament damage just 11 minutes into
the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford on 17 March 2007, an appearance that was to be his last of the season. But if he wasn’t able to influence matters on the pitch, you can be sure his presence was felt in the dressing rooms and from the stands. No-one, but no-one, wants United to win more than Gary Neville.
The defender, who has made over 500 appearances in a United shirt, was handed the armband during the 2005/06 season following Roy Keane’s departure. Being one of United’s most consistent and committed performers since establishing himself in the side in 1994/95, Neville was a natural choice. He enters every game refusing to contemplate defeat. The fans love him for it. His heart on his sleeve approach doesn't endear him to everyone, however – notably the football authorities. His badge-clenching celebration following Rio Ferdinand’s last-minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in January 2006 saw him charged with improper conduct by the FA and fined £5000.
“Are you meant to smile sweetly and jog back to the halfway line?” he said. "People want footballers to be whiter than white. Do they want a game of robots?"
There was no such censure for Gary’s next high-profile
celebration – at the 2006 Carling Cup Final. He lifted his first trophy as captain and collected the one domestic medal that had eluded him in his career. The Reds had not won the competition since April 1992, when Gary was in the famous youth team that also spawned David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Vocal and determined, he gives his all in every game, demanding the same from his team-mates. No excuses.
references: http://www.manutd.com
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