Playing against Manchester United was a nightmare for our parents, says ex-Everton defender Phil Neville
FORMER Everton defender Phil Neville has revealed that playing against his older brother Gary was a ‘nightmare’ – especially if he was on the losing side.
Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday and the 39-year old has recalled what it was like to go head to head with his sibling.
"This is one of those games when you just want to lock yourself in a cupboard and come out afterwards and know the result,” said Neville in an exclusive interview.
“It was like that when I was a player there because my brother was playing for the opposition [Manchester United] and I was playing for Everton.
“This particular fixture is one I used to love playing in as an Everton player but I hated it as a Manchester United player,” added Valencia’s assistant coach. “United haven’t enjoyed going to Goodison Park for the last decade so it tells you it’s a tough place to go.”
“It was a difficult moment, particularly for my mum. My dad was a Manchester United fan, he was United until he died, but my mum just wanted two happy sons and a happy house.”
Neville made 386 appearances during a United career spanning 18-years and won 52 England caps in the process.
Born in nearby Bury and raised as a Manchester United fan, Neville admits this is still a difficult fixture to watch even three years after hanging up his boots.
“The difficult thing is when people ask me, ‘who do you want to win?’ It’s a question most Everton fans ask me,” he said.
“They see me as a Manchester United fan – and I am – but I loved my time at Everton. My eight years with the club were some of the best times of my career."
Despite Everton’s poor run of form, losing two of their last three games, Ronald Koeman’s side still occupy seventh place in the Premier League table.
Neville, who made over 300 appearances for the Merseyside club, believes the Dutchman can still lead a successful league campaign.
“I think this is a really good Everton team with a brilliant manager in Ronald Koeman. They should be challenging for a top five or top six place – but top four is probably asking a bit too much,” said the former England full-back.
“They’ve got good players in the likes of [Romelu] Lukaku and Ross Barkley, who is an outstanding young player. The back four is really experienced too.
“Everton have got a really solid team and I think with the manager they’ve got they will go on to have a great season.”