Phil Neville: Former United star reveals hilarious story from CL match | OneFootball

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has shared a humorous story from a crucial Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

United career

Neville played 383 times for Manchester United, making his debut in the 1994-1995 season.

The defender also won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League with the Red Devils. The Englishman moved to Everton in 2005 and would go on to play over 300 times for the Merseyside club.

He was made captain of the side in January 2007.

Neville was capped regularly for England and played 59 times for the Three Lions, receiving his last cap in 2007.

Post-playing career

Upon retirement in 2013, he moved into coaching. He started out as a head coach in 2018 for the England Women’s team.

He then had spells as head coach of Inter Miami and Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.

In May this year, he left Portland after two and a half years.

Madrid story

Speaking to The Times (via The Sun), Neville revealed an embarrassing moment for himself after a Champions League tie in 2003.

He explained, “there’s a story I occasionally tell against myself about something that happened after a game against Real Madrid in 2003.”

Neville reminded the reporter that he had played the match as a second-half substitute in a 4-3 win for Manchester United over the Spanish club.

He explained, “after the game I was keen to swap my shirt for one of theirs. This was a brilliant Real team, after all. A side that boasted Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos, not to mention some other incredible players.”

Unfortunately, the Spanish dressing room did not quite hold Neville in the same regard, according to what happened next.

Neville explained, “my shirt was handed in for an exchange in their dressing room, and after about five minutes their kitman came out and handed it back.”

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