Gary Neville is not the most popular pundit with Man Utd fans, but he was a loved player who saw his end in two players at the club.
Despite him trying his best to ruin his Man Utd legacy, Gary Neville will always remain a legend at the club for what he achieved in his playing career.
By his own admission, he was limited as a player, but he personified the kind of mentality and determination required to succeed at Old Trafford.
Therefore, it’s a big claim when he says he saw two players at Carrington that convinced even his steely mind that his time was up.
How would you rank these ex-Man Utd players-turned-pundits from BEST to WORST?
Add Rooney to the mix, and pass judgement on this lot that NEVER stops talking. Top five?
Gary Neville says Rafael and Fabio ended his career
Neville has been pretty open and self-deprecating about how self-aware he was towards the end of his career.
According to the man himself, in an interview with Sky, Neville has said that the creeping doubts towards the end of his career were solidified by the arrival of Rafael and Fabio.
The twins from Brazil took English football by surprise, with Rafael, in particular, becoming Neville’s successor sooner than anyone anticipated.
Neville says it was deserved, as they were far ahead of him physically and athletically when they arrived.
He said: “They [Rafael and Fabio] were the boys who convinced me that my Man Utd career was over. I always remember in training watching how sharp they were to the ball.
“Watching how quick they were to the tackle, the ability to go and take the ball off wide players and wingers, Rafael was the one taking my position.
“I remember him just coming in and sort of ratting and aggressive, and I’m thinking, ‘I’m nowhere near’. This is what I was.”
Man Utd missed the boat under Louis van Gaal
Neither Fabio nor Rafael hit the heights expected of them, but that can be said for most players who played under, and after, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Who is your ‘HEAR ME OUT’ signing for Man United to make this summer?👀
Hot takes only🔥
However, Rafael’s case in particular will hurt United because they were almost too eager to get rid of him.
Louis van Gaal saw the gutting of Sir Alex’s squad with brutal precision, and Rafael became an unfortunate victim.
He could have easily contributed to Man Utd for more years under a more free-spirited manager, but, like Danny Welbeck, he became a “what if” case.
It’s not easy to oust a club legend like Neville from his position. United gave up too soon on them.
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