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Manchester United legend Gary Neville has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson’s surprise role in his retirement.
Neville announced his retirement from the sport on February 2, 2011 – 20 years after debuting for United.
His debut for the Red Devils came in a UEFA Cup match against Torpedo Moscow in 1992.
During his time at Old Trafford, the former England international made 602 appearances. In that time, he won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies and one European Cup.
Neville, who was part of United’s legendary class of ’92, was also a member of Sir Alex’s all-conquering squad that won a historical treble in 1999.
Speaking on the Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Neville revealed that the decision to hang up his boots was motivated by the extremely high expectations and standards Sir Alex demanded of him and other players within his ranks.
According to Neville, Fergie’s work ethic eventually took its toll and rather than let himself slip, he deemed it better to exit the stage altogether.
The 49-year-old remarked, “My Dad was like, ‘Get up early, get your job done, attack the day’. That’s where my sort of mantra of attack the day comes from.”
“Then I was surrounded by those types of people at United.”
“Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t give you an inch. If you fell below the very highest standard, it wasn’t accepted, so you’re surrounded by people who don’t accept less than the very best.”
“But then it’s hard to live in that environment sometimes.”
Neville added, “That’s why I left United in the end because I found it quite difficult to sort of keep going. I was there for 20 years and I just needed to escape. But that doesn’t mean to say that I’ve been able to escape the intensity of what I feel every day.”
Since retiring, Neville has become a household name. He is currently one of the country’s biggest and most recognisable football pundits and boasts a huge business empire spanning a chain of hotels and townhouses.
He is also a co-owner of League Two club Salford City and had a brief spell as Valencia manager.
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