Phil Neville promotes his son Harvey, 19, into the first-team squad at Inter Miami, after axing 10 stars in a brutal culling at David Beckham’s MLS club
- Phil Neville has axed 10 players from his underperforming Inter Miami squad
- The decision to cut players came after they failed to reach the MLS play-offs
- However, Neville decided to call his 19-year-old son Harvey up to the first-team
Phil Neville has axed 10 players from his underperforming Inter Miami squad in a bid to help David Beckham’s side push for MLS honours next season.
According to The Sun, Neville was ‘locked in brutal meetings’ over the future of his players last week after Beckham’s franchise failed to make the play-offs.
Neville cut 10 players from the existing squad following discussions with the club, but later decided to call his son Harvey up to the first-team.
Phil Neville (left) has axed 10 players from his underperforming Inter Miami squad in a bid to help David Beckham’s (right) side push for MLS honours next season
Neville was ‘locked in brutal meetings’ over the future of his players last week after Beckham’s franchise failed to make the play-offs following their 3-1 loss to New York City FC (above)
According to The Sun, Neville has decided to promote Harvey from USL League One club Fort Lauderdale to the Miami first-team ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
Speaking about his son’s achievements this season, Neville said: ‘He’s done well and although he has a lot of development to do, he is part of a group of eight to 10 players who we want to get involved with the MLS team.
‘He is only young. There are ups and downs and many challenges ahead but he just has to keep up his attitude.
‘We are a club which needs to produce its own players and we want to get this group on the pitch as soon as we can.’
Neville cut 10 players from the existing squad following discussions with the club, but later decided to call his son Harvey up to the first-team
Neville decided to promote the 19-year-old (second from the right) from USL League One club Fort Lauderdale to the Miami first-team ahead of the 2022-2023 season
It is yet to be determined which 10 players have been cut, but former stoke defender Brek Shea and on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Indiana Vassilev could at risk given they are out of contract soon.
However, Gonzalo Higuain will remain in the squad next season despite toying with the idea of hanging up his boots at the end of this season.
The former Real Madrid forward – who earns around £5.2million a year – will stay at the club for another 12 months as he sees out his career in America.
Ryan Shawcross – who is said to be struggling with a back problem at present – will also feature in Neville’s squad next term despite being plagued by injuries and poor form during his first season at the club.
It is yet to be determined who the 10 players that have been cut are, but Brek Shea (on the floor) and Indiana Vassilev could at risk given they are out of contract soon
However, Gonzalo Higuain (right) will remain in the squad next season despite toying with the idea of hanging up his boots at the end of this season
Neville’s side faced an uphill battle to make the play-offs before their game with New York City FC.
They were relying on miracles from other sides to keep their hopes alive, but their 3-1 loss was the final nail in the coffin of their chances.
Their failure to reach play-offs marked the end of a difficult season for Miami – who suffered two crippling winless streaks during the 2021-2022 campaign.
However, Beckham has backed his former Manchester United team-mate Neville to turn things around at the MSL club next season.
Neville also shared his thoughts on the 2021-2022 season and declared his ambitions for the franchise.
Beckham has backed his former team-mate to turn things around at the MSL club next season
He said: ‘I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t expect this to finish higher. So I’m disappointed at that and take responsibility for that
‘But I honestly can’t wait to attack next season as quickly as possible. We’ve got great plans and this football club will continue to grow.
‘I spoke with the owners this week in terms of their expectations and their ambitions, and it hasn’t changed from day one. They want to win. They want us to be successful. They want to compete, and that’s where we are really aligned.’