Gary Neville - Pundit
- Thread starter Jamie Shawcross
- Start date
I don’t think anyone wants him to just shower the club with praise, but in my opinion he goes over the top in his critiques to appear unbiased.
I think most football fans expect ex-player pundits to hold some bias towards their club which makes for more interesting viewing. Neville isn’t a journalist in the traditional sense - objectivity isn’t his selling point.
I think Neville like most United fans are feeling frustrated over the total mismanagement of this club since Sir Alex left.
I don't recall Fergie pushing hard for Thuram...I remember we were heavily linked to him in the papers but that was as a Centre-Back partner to Stam
He 100% does this. I don't think anybody expects him to big the club up, but maybe temper his criticism at times.
Look at Keane - puts Carragher in his box every now in then with 'one league title in 30 years' (granted soon to be 2) and even City in dissing Haaland for being a League one footballer when not firing etc.
Neville would never. He always goes out of his way to big up Anfield too in an almost nauseating manner 'oh this place, it does something to you etc'.
Any controversy at United he jumps all over, Carragher does the opposite re Liverpool.
As far as ex-players go, he is a total sell out in this sense. He (and Scholes on this one) genuinely gives me the impression he enjoys us being a shadow of our former selves. I think he'll actually be a tad bitter if United come good (like league and or regularly CL challenging good).
Last edited:
Solid take from G.Nev
I agree. He's actually displaced Gary.
Wright is proving him right by being so weird about the criticism and protective of a set-piece coach.
https://www.sportbible.com/football...kel-arteta-michael-oliver-red-666090-20250130
He said: "He's [Oliver] been taken off the Arsenal vs Manchester City, hasn't he? I think that's completely wrong, that.
"The idea he would go into that game on Sunday and think he's going to be swayed towards City... he's not going to do that. He's a professional guy.
"He's the best referee in the country, and he's now being bombed off games because he made a mistake?
"They [Arsenal fans] use language like corruption, which means they think he's getting paid and bought off. Which is absolutely not the case.
"We lived in a club [Manchester United] which created a siege mentality about the referees. Arsenal are doing a bit of that as well.
"There's no doubt that what Arsenal do is inflame the situation after the game rather than calm it down. They've done that for 12 months. But we can't say that's wrong, having played in the dressing room that we did.
"The difference is now with social media, when we were playing back in the day and doing similar things with referees, we weren't inflaming what would be a cause of corruption on social media.
"Now you have a sway of Arsenal's anger, which comes from the players and Mikel Arteta, and prominent fans.
"You now have a social media wave which goes towards [allegations of] corruption and cheating. In our day, we couldn't have that much influence. Everyone was at home without a phone, and didn't have Twitter."
He said: "He's [Oliver] been taken off the Arsenal vs Manchester City, hasn't he? I think that's completely wrong, that.
"The idea he would go into that game on Sunday and think he's going to be swayed towards City... he's not going to do that. He's a professional guy.
"He's the best referee in the country, and he's now being bombed off games because he made a mistake?
"They [Arsenal fans] use language like corruption, which means they think he's getting paid and bought off. Which is absolutely not the case.
"We lived in a club [Manchester United] which created a siege mentality about the referees. Arsenal are doing a bit of that as well.
"There's no doubt that what Arsenal do is inflame the situation after the game rather than calm it down. They've done that for 12 months. But we can't say that's wrong, having played in the dressing room that we did.
"The difference is now with social media, when we were playing back in the day and doing similar things with referees, we weren't inflaming what would be a cause of corruption on social media.
"Now you have a sway of Arsenal's anger, which comes from the players and Mikel Arteta, and prominent fans.
"You now have a social media wave which goes towards [allegations of] corruption and cheating. In our day, we couldn't have that much influence. Everyone was at home without a phone, and didn't have Twitter."
Wish people would stop with this shite. Neville needs to stop defending incompetence.
He likes to create a narrative. Oliver is an incompetent ref, if not biased. Media folks like Neville start to create these narratives and soon refs start thinking they are superstars and they should dictate how the game should flow. Happened with Clattenburg. Happening with Taylor. Happening with Oliver.
He is to punditry what Rooney is to management. Think he must like the sound of his own voice
Gary and Michael probably spent some time together at soiree for people so rich that we've never heard of it.
For all the stick Neville gets, just heard him saying something I agree with.
He’s on a pod discussing the Busby Babes, and about the impact of the disaster, the legacy of it but also the Babes, how Sir Alex modelled the youth team in the same manner as Sir Matt. He talks about either through the academy or if you were signed, the history and reputation of the club was something you tapped into and the manager made sure you did. And that history inspired, thinking about those that came before and how in particular United’s history is what drives you on. He finished just by saying that he hears people talking about the aura of Sir Alex looms heavy, or what ex players thinks looks heavy, or talking about meeting the standard of what the club should aspire to be. And if it’s reached the point where players or whoever cannot be inspired by this club and it’s history, then anyone who doesn’t should leave. The club shouldn’t shrink you, it should inspire and fill you with pride to wear the jersey.
Sure, it’s corny and all that, but I enjoyed hearing that.
He’s on a pod discussing the Busby Babes, and about the impact of the disaster, the legacy of it but also the Babes, how Sir Alex modelled the youth team in the same manner as Sir Matt. He talks about either through the academy or if you were signed, the history and reputation of the club was something you tapped into and the manager made sure you did. And that history inspired, thinking about those that came before and how in particular United’s history is what drives you on. He finished just by saying that he hears people talking about the aura of Sir Alex looms heavy, or what ex players thinks looks heavy, or talking about meeting the standard of what the club should aspire to be. And if it’s reached the point where players or whoever cannot be inspired by this club and it’s history, then anyone who doesn’t should leave. The club shouldn’t shrink you, it should inspire and fill you with pride to wear the jersey.
Sure, it’s corny and all that, but I enjoyed hearing that.
He says that but even in the 70s and 80s many players couldn't handle it for those reasons, this is nothing new.
Have to laugh at people constantly having a go at Gary - he is only saying what most people say here. And he's as much a fan of the club as any here but they want him to be another Carragher or Redknapp or one of the other buffoons
I grew up as a United fan and started following them in 1990. I can’t describe how grateful I am to have grown up with the great personalities United had back then. Especially in the 90s with players like Keane, Scholes, and Neville. They were huge players for United and helped shape the culture and status that led to title after title.
Unfortunately, I’m getting tired of the negative spiral they’re contributing to in their current roles as pundits. They comment on everything and criticize left, right, and center. Their egos constantly seek validation of their own status, always pointing out how "back in their day," no one ever gave less than 100%, etc. They are extremely damaging to the environment that needs to be rebuilt at United.
At this point, I think it’s time for them to decide whether they’re supporting Manchester United or their own media careers. You don’t see other pundits tearing into their club's players, managers, and leadership the way Keane, Neville, and Scholes do. Are they even fans of United anymore?
It’s impossible to build a positive atmosphere between the fans, players, and leadership when constant negativity is being thrown out into the media by former players. I hope they’ll soon approach their roles as pundits with more love for the club and the project, instead of just creating noise and negativity.
Unfortunately, I’m getting tired of the negative spiral they’re contributing to in their current roles as pundits. They comment on everything and criticize left, right, and center. Their egos constantly seek validation of their own status, always pointing out how "back in their day," no one ever gave less than 100%, etc. They are extremely damaging to the environment that needs to be rebuilt at United.
At this point, I think it’s time for them to decide whether they’re supporting Manchester United or their own media careers. You don’t see other pundits tearing into their club's players, managers, and leadership the way Keane, Neville, and Scholes do. Are they even fans of United anymore?
It’s impossible to build a positive atmosphere between the fans, players, and leadership when constant negativity is being thrown out into the media by former players. I hope they’ll soon approach their roles as pundits with more love for the club and the project, instead of just creating noise and negativity.
Couldn’t agree with you any more. I know we have been shite for a long time now but the constant negativity by the likes of Neville and Scholes in particular is part of why we have such a toxic culture in this club.
I don’t expect them to lie, I’m not expecting them to say we are great and everything is fine but there is no benefit to the constant negativity and extra pressure they put under the manager and players. Even when we beat City you could tell Neville wasn’t very happy about it, as soon as we took the lead he was saying how we didn’t deserve it and how Amad was the only player who looked like a “Manchester United” player.
It’s a shame, cause they all had wonderful careers here and gave us memories we’ll never forget but now they are acting like a jealous ex who is delighted to see their ex struggling, they are tarnishing the love the fans had for them as players.
I agree with what’s been said above, you contrast that with the ex Liverpool lot who act like official cheerleaders for the club whether they’re utter shite or going through a good spell. There’s already a ton of pressure that comes with playing for Utd, don’t need these two constantly adding to it all the time.
An example from this week is Scholes making comments about Martínez and Amorim. Amorim’s head is fried, and Martínez is someone you can’t help but kick while he’s down—literally just after being ruled out for a year with his injury. It’s disrespectful.
We get it—the group of players from the ’90s and 2000s was incredible, and you had an unmatched winning culture.
But it’s time for you to stop acting like war veterans who can only talk about how heroic you all were, constantly calling each other the best player you ever played with and naming each other in the “greatest United XI of all time.”
This is a new era, and it’s time to support everyone who wears the shirt. Build them up like people built you up back in the day. Things will only turn around when there’s a positive energy and attitude all the way around—from players to coaches to fans to management and even the media.
If you’re real fans and love the club more than your own legacy, start showing it.
We get it—the group of players from the ’90s and 2000s was incredible, and you had an unmatched winning culture.
But it’s time for you to stop acting like war veterans who can only talk about how heroic you all were, constantly calling each other the best player you ever played with and naming each other in the “greatest United XI of all time.”
This is a new era, and it’s time to support everyone who wears the shirt. Build them up like people built you up back in the day. Things will only turn around when there’s a positive energy and attitude all the way around—from players to coaches to fans to management and even the media.
If you’re real fans and love the club more than your own legacy, start showing it.
100% and I am glad more people are seeing through it now. My post history in this thread is littered with years of saying they are toxic as feck as pundits, they turn on any manager who they don't like, have unhidden biases, make flippant comments almost weekly which are a constant noise to the players. But it's ok, because enough dimwits see G Nev make an insta post with a glass of red when United win and ignore the verbal cascade of negativity he and his mates spew about all things United. It's a classic case of supporting, this being the key word, your team when it suits you.
In case you haven't noticed: (a) This is the job they are now paid to do (b) We're shite at the moment and they aren't saying anything that isn't said here (c) If you can't tell how much Gary Neville is hurting (not sure same is true of Keane), you aren't watching closely enough
Calling people dimwits is a bit harsh just because they have a different opinion to you.
Could easily be said you are the dimwit. Blaming a pundit for how shit United are when in reality it comes down to the board, the manager and the players. Not a pundit who is United through and through.
We're talking about club legends who didn't experience this club finishing lower than 3rd. They've every right to call out how underperforming managers and players are. It's more realistic than hearing the majority of this forum saying the likes of Onana is a good goalkeeper. We're 13th, what do people expect?
They benefitted from Sir Alex getting time in the first place. Is there a class of 92 without the patience afforded to him? Surely they could reflect on this and possibly allow new players and managers the same?
I get they'd be frustrated as United fans with how things have slipped, we all are, but that’s majorly on how we’ve been run as a club. Things like Scholes coming out and shitting on Yoro is needless. All for clicks.
I take you buy the red wine pr stunts
I think what hurts Keane the most is players not giving their all.
He could probably accept if you aren't good enough, but for him I think if you give 100% effort, play with your brain, maximise your ability and just doing the basics of your job right. He's ok with that.
What he sees is too many players who lack football intelligence, who just don't do those things. He can't understand it and I think that annoys him more than anything else.
Yes I do.
And there’s you thinking it’s Gary Neville’s fault we’ve been shit for ten years.
Is that what I said, please explain? I suspect I will wait a while.
I think the amusing thing is, when Liverpool where rubbish the liverpool legends in the media would tell thr World that they had the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker in Europe while United legends tell us everyone of our players aren't good enough.
I'm not debating which way is right or wrong, but it does show the distinct differences between united and Liverpool legends in the media and this difference is also reflected in the fan bases as well
I'm not debating which way is right or wrong, but it does show the distinct differences between united and Liverpool legends in the media and this difference is also reflected in the fan bases as well
I love the way you felt the need to add some passive aggressiveness to the end of your post. Quite sweet.
What is it you’re actually complaining about. The fact that he speaks the truth and we are shit and have bought shit and some of the players attitudes stink.
Gary Neville is more of a red and passionate about United than you or I would ever be. He has to sit there while that scouse carragher swoons over their only half decent spell in half a century while the team Neville wants to do well is a laughing stock. What do you honestly expect? For him to lie and say that were amazing?
I suppose his celebrations while he’s in the gantry are also fake
The irony.‘G Nev is a top red and cannot be questioned’
It’s really not hard to understand, if you are a fan of the club you want to club to have every advantage. For most people they have no influence on that but people with a voice in the media do, especially on ex players. He knows what is was like in the dressing room with the paper press and complained about it both at United and England. He apparently now has forgotten. There is a way to criticise and a way to show support and unfortunately it’s hard to say with Scholes (without doubt) and G Nev (though he is not as outright ridiculous, and then apologises like he did to Amorim) that they 100% want the best for the club.
I look at actions not social media stunts and fans who can’t see through the contradiction of his actions vs image I do consider dimwitted.
Lucky we’ve got intelligent posters like you on the caf then
‘G Nev is a top red and cannot be questioned’
It’s really not hard to understand, if you are a fan of the club you want to club to have every advantage. For most people they have no influence on that but people with a voice in the media do, especially on ex players. He knows what is was like in the dressing room with the paper press and complained about it both at United and England. He apparently now has forgotten. There is a way to criticise and a way to show support and unfortunately it’s hard to say with Scholes (without doubt) and G Nev (though he is not as outright ridiculous, and then apologises like he did to Amorim) that they 100% want the best for the club.
I look at actions not social media stunts and fans who can’t see through the contradiction of his actions vs image I do consider dimwitted.
A well thought out and insightful reply in keeping with the idea we must never question anyone who says they are a United fan, no matter what they actually do.
TBH I cannot stand to listen to Gary Neville anymore (likewise Scholes), would much rather listen to Carra unbelievably he has less of an agenda
I saw an interview with a player who had been called up to the England team at the same time as Beckham, Scholes, that era you’re talking about. I can’t remember who the player was, but he said when the United players came i to the England set up, it was deeply surprising how competitive they were. They wanted to win everything all the time, from keepy-ups to rondos to short-sided games. Their mentality was win everything all the time, and it was something this player has t seen at whatever club he played for.
I think this is what Neville is referring to. The players today like Rashford just don’t feel that same compulsion to be the best — and it shows, and that’s why we have been poor for so long.
I’d be interested to see what the Liverpool, Arsenal and City pundits would say if those teams were 13th in the table and lost eight home games by February.
Presumably unanimous praise for the players who would obviously be giving 100% at the time and playing fantastically well.
Having a proper go today
He's the worst, most unlikeable, negative pundit on tv.