David Beckham is one of the most famous players to have ever donned the red of Manchester United.
One of the most notable Manchester United academy graduates of all time David Beckham has gone on to become a world power – owning his own football club in Inter Miami, along with being a fashion and movie star.
But before all of this, Beckham was a member of the Class of ’92 which is the most famous United Academy graduates group, including players like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
Beckham wore the No.7 shirt at United and is remembered fondly by fans as he retains a legendary status at Old Trafford.
But there is one player who helped him achieve all the success he had while wearing a United shirt, now he has uncovered this relationship.
David Beckham on his relationship on the pitch with Gary Neville
During his Manchester United years, the one relationship which was almost ever-present for Beckham was that with Gary Neville down the right side of the pitch.
- READ MORE: Who is Gary Neville? Step into the world of the Manchester United legend turned top-tier pundit
The pair were immensely close on and off the pitch with an almost telepathic link. Now, speaking with Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Meets podcast, Beckham has uncovered the relationship and talked up Neville’s performance.
“Gaz created the space for me. You know, that was unselfish runs. And he made a career out of it because we played together for so many years that he made those runs over and over again.
“And every now and again, one out of ten, I’d give him a ball, but it was very rare.
“It was important for us. And I think I’d like to think it was important for United and important for England as well because we had such a great understanding. He knew that if I hadn’t run back, which was very rare, I knew that he would be there covering me and vice versa.
“I think that that was why Gary understood that even though 99% of the time when he made those runs, he was never going to get the ball. He knew that it was helping the team and helping me. So, it worked both ways.”
This partnership which Sir Alex Ferguson cultivated would go on to win six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and a Champions League.
How many games did Beckham and Neville play together
Arguably this right-sided partnership is among the most well-known to ever grace the pitch at Old Trafford.
Beckham and Neville played a staggering 378 games together – more than any other player Beckham played with – with 59 of these coming on international duty.
Despite playing together just 22 games shy of 400 times, the pair only combined for one goal – with Ne Neville assisting Beckham for United’s third goal in a 5-1 win over Wimbledon in 1998.
This was one of Beckham’s 127 goals scored in his 720-game club career – with 225 assists also being attributed to the footballing great.
Throughout his 599-game club career, Neville only scored seven times while also making 49 assists – although this really was not his game in an era where full-backs were more defensively orientated.
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