GARY NEVILLE has revealed that Manchester United stars would be “killed” if they broke unwritten rules in matches.
Neville, 49, was part of the famous ‘Class of ’92’ after coming up through the youth ranks at Old Trafford.
And the right-back ended up staying at Manchester United for his entire career in 2011.
Neville played 602 games for his boyhood team while winning eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.
But he has now opened up over the discipline instilled in him by United’s no-nonsense coaches.
Coming up alongside Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, Neville and brother Phil were both coached by some legendary names.
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Eric Harrison is credited with helping Sir Alex Ferguson develop those youngsters into world-famous stars.
While former United and England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles also put the lads through their paces on the training ground.
And Neville has now revealed the pair had unwritten rules that could never be broken.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet podcast, he explained: “I don’t think that I would have been anywhere near where I was without being driven.
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“Eric Harrison, he was tough as a youth team coach, and Nobby Stiles. You couldn’t lose a tackle, it was forbidden.
“If you misplaced a pass, or if I didn’t throw it forward into a striker’s feet at Old Trafford on a Saturday and threw it back on my first throw in, I was getting killed.
“You always had these voices around you, they’d step on you every single move, there was nowhere to go in terms of dropping in standard or work ethic.”
Roy Keane was already in the first team when the Class of 92 joined in senior training.
He added: “Players come across sometimes and train with the first team, and you just know that they’ll be gone [and won’t come back].
But when [Gary] Neville and them lot [Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Ryan Giggs] came across, they were brilliant players, and we knew that they could take it [the stick].
“The credit I would give those lads that came across is that I knew they were here to stay.
“You’re talking about four or five players, [Ryan] Giggs was already ahead of the group, but I knew that they were here to stay.
“I can only talk about my own experiences but when the players came across, they were no doubt talented because they were at Manchester United, but they had great habits and traits.”
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
