‘It’s really sad’ – Gary Neville admits he given stars ‘poor advice’ when he told them to seal Man Utd transfer

GARY NEVILLE admits that he has given “poor advice” by telling stars to join Manchester United and called it “really sad”.

The former right-back, 48, came through the academy at Old Trafford before going on to become one of the club’s most honoured stars under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The eight-time Premier League winner, who was part of two Champions League-winning squads, retired in 2011.

Legendary manager Fergie followed suit two years later - and since then United have yet to lift the title again.

Despite a vast outlay of money, Erik ten Hag’s current side have endured a difficult campaign and sit seventh after their 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham earlier.

Following the game, Neville joined Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp in the Sky Sports studio and admitted that he had told several players to sign for United over the past couple of years as he tried to help them return to their glory years from afar.

He said: “I have spoken to players before they come here saying 'you'll never regret it, it's a magic football club'.

"Looking back that's pretty poor advice.”

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Neville then highlighted one man in particular - Jude Bellingham - who won his first piece of silverware with Real Madrid tonight as they thrashed Barcelona 4-1 in the Spanish Super Cup.

Back in 2020, the England star rejected United despite Ferguson even giving him a guided tour around the club in order to join Borussia Dortmund from his boyhood team Birmingham City.

After shining in Germany, he moved to Madrid in a £114m move last summer and is smashing records left, right and centre for Los Blancos.

And Neville fears that Bellingham may not have reached the level he is at now if he had signed for United.

He added: “Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.

“You think of Jude Bellingham, he walks into the boardroom here, Man United have agreed a fee with Birmingham and so have Dortmund and he has a choice between them and somehow, well done to him, he chose Dortmund and is now one of the greatest players in the world and greatest English talents. 

“What would have happened if he came here? I don't know, maybe he would be a success but I'm not so sure because of the culture.”

Former United captain Roy Keane also joined in the debate and says that his mindset has now also changed about his old club.

He said: “I've said for years if you're a player and have a chance to sign for Man United then go for it. My mind has changed over the last couple of years.”

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