“I would have played for them” — Gary Neville on his secret ‘Club’

Gary Neville—a secret Liverpool fan? No, not at all, but he did have a soft spot for a club that stood as an equal rival to Liverpool though, as he reveals he secret admiration for North London side, Arsenal.

The Manchester United legend who epitomized loyalty, recently revealed a surprising twist about his storied career.

In a candid conversation on The Overlap, Neville admitted that if he ever had to leave Old Trafford, there was only one club he would have considered joining—Arsenal. Despite the intense rivalry between the Red Devils and the Gunners, Neville’s choice has stunned fans, showing just how deep his respect runs for the North London side.

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Gary Neville, who made 602 appearances for United and captained the side for five seasons, was an integral part of the famed Class of ’92, alongside Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

Throughout his career, Neville never came close to leaving United, maintaining his status as a one-club man. However, when asked hypothetically which club he might have signed for if forced to leave, Neville chose Arsenal without hesitation.

“I’m going to say Arsenal,” Neville stated, explaining his deep admiration for the club’s tradition, history, and ethos. He reminisced about visiting Highbury, Arsenal’s former home, and being struck by the club’s iconic marble halls and the sense of history that permeated the place.

“Arsenal were the club that I generally had massive respect for,” Neville continued. “When I went to Highbury and you used to walk in that old entrance with the marble hall, I used to think it’s a club of proper tradition.”

Neville’s admiration extended beyond the aesthetics of Highbury. He appreciated the alignment between Arsenal’s traditional values and those he experienced at United. The iconic blazers worn by Arsenal staff and the club’s deep-rooted respect for its history resonated with Neville, reminding him of the values instilled at Manchester United during his playing days.