Gary Neville has revealed some of the biggest blunders in his playing career and has detailed the moments when Manchester United ‘bottled it’.
The ever-reliable right back was a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad during his successful reign as manager, which included eight Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and three FA Cups.
However, after speaking to United We Stand fanzine, the former England international has regurgitated the ‘low’ points.
Gary Neville reveals how Man United’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in 2000 was a ‘low point’
Despite scoring an own goal for England after his backpass to Paul Robinson bobbled over the goalkeeper’s foot, Neville doesn’t feel it was his fault and describes it as ‘bad luck’.
‘That Robinson one wasn’t a f***-up, it was just bad luck,’ said Neville. ‘If you pass the ball back to the keeper and it goes over his foot, there’s nothing you can do.’
The retired right back did point out his worst performances for the Red Devils, which included the World Club Championship final in 2000 and when Manchester City won the last ever derby at Maine Road in 2002.
The Sky Sports pundit says the ‘Paul Robinson own goal’ for England was just bad luck
Neville’s own goal for England gave Croatia a two-goal lead in their Euro 2008 qualifier
United played Brazilian side Vasco Da Gama in the World Club Championship in 2000 but the Premier League outfit lost 3-1 after Neville gifted two goals after two failed backpasses to goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.
The Sky Sports pundit also failed to see the ball out for a goal kick in the last ever Manchester derby at Maine Road, allowing Shaun Goater to nick it and score in City’s 3-1 victory.
‘Vasco Da Gama was bad. That and the City one live long in the memory.
‘I was in Brazil when Scholesy texted me: “How are you, Gaz? Fiasco Da Gama”, the cheeky little b*****d.’
The retired right back said United’s 3-1 defeat by Vasco Da Gama in 2000 was ‘bad’
The Red Devils lost 3-1 in the final to the Brazilian club in the World Club Championship
Neville gifted two goals to the South Americans after his poor backpasses were intercepted
Neville says United’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester City at Maine Road ‘lives long in the memory’
Along with his worst personal memories on the pitch, the 43-year-old reluctantly remembers the time where United ‘bottled it’.
‘Real Madrid at home in 2000,’ he added. ‘I was going through a terrible period with confidence and felt like I didn’t want the ball. I remember being on the pitch, thinking ‘this is a low moment for me’.
‘I was 25 and had never felt like that before. Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup was a bottle job for the team, too. Terrible, terrible.’
The 43-year-old thinks United ‘bottled it’ at home to Real Madrid in 2000 after losing 3-2