Gary Neville explains why he has sometimes “not got it right” when covering Man United games

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville’s move into the media after his retirement from the game has thrust him into the public spotlight in a significant way over the past decade. Neville’s quick wit and ability to describe the game to viewers earned him rave reviews in his early days on various television channels, making him one of the most coveted pundits in the game. However, in recent years, Manchester United fans have grown frustrated with the eight-time Premier League winner who, in his attempts to show neutrality, tends to go too far with his criticism of the team he claims to hold so dearly to his heart. Neville opens up on fan backlash An absolute cult hero in his playing days, Neville was adored by the Old Trafford faithful, with his passion for the badge evident every time he pulled on the red shirt. However, since the transition from player to pundit, the former defender has tested United fans’ patience with comments during and after matches, something he discussed with former teammate Rio Ferdinand in a recent interview. As reported by The Mirror, Ferdinand said he was asked by fans to quiz Neville on the issue of unfair criticism toward United on his Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, to which Neville gave a robust response but admitted to finding the balance tough. “It’s a balance though Rio, isn’t it? It’s like, do I want City to win the league? I absolutely don’t want City anywhere near the league title. I’ll say it on here now. I don’t want City or Liverpool to ever win a game of football again. I genuinely don’t. But do you know something, to be a professional and do the very best, sometimes I maybe don’t get the balance right with United,” said Neville. The former England international added that he finds United games the “hardest to do” in his role in the media and says he would have no issue with stepping back from certain games if Sky felt it was appropriate for him to do so. People might think that I’m more critical of United when they don’t play well. Sometimes, over the last maybe ten years, the balance, maybe I’ve not got it right. If they said ‘to me don’t cover United games for Sky, let me just sit in the stand and watch them.’ I’d say yeah, all day long but I still do the games. It’s difficult,” he said. Time for change? Neville has also faced backlash from supporters for political comments he has made in recent times, all of which seem to be playing a role in some turning their backs on the man who represented United over 600 times. Whilst Neville says he would not mind not featuring on United games, there is little to no chance of Sky making that a reality given his profile on the media circuit. United fans will have to wait and see if their former hero will go a little easier on Michael Carrick’s men next season, with the new campaign promising to find out exactly what the newly appointed permanent head coach is made of. In Neville’s defence, there has been much to malign with how United have gone about their business both on and off the pitch in the last decade, but there is no doubt the 51-year-old could be a lot more encouraging to certain players and coaches who have struggled to produce under the pressure of the Theatre of Dreams that he should know so well. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A lifelong red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the unforgettable night in Paris in 2019 under the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.