Manchester United legend Gary Neville revealed that only one current Manchester City star would make his stacked five-a-side Premier League team featuring four of his former club teammates.
Joined by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, the two Sky Sports pundits were tasked with building their ‘dream’ five-a-side teams from the Premier League era.
Carragher’s five picks included two United legends, with the 45-year-old former Liverpool defender picking Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane for his team.
The former Reds star revealed his other three picks would include Chelsea hero John Terry, ex-Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Carragher poked fun at Neville after the United legend immediately named three of his former club teammates, asking if it was a “wind-up” from the Sky Sports pundit.
Neville’s dream five-a-side Premier League team
Speaking to Now TV via X, formerly known as Twitter, Neville named the “unbelievable” Schmeichel between the sticks for his five-a-side team.
“Schmeichel’s just unbelievable in goal, massive presence, you just can’t get past him,” he said.
Neville, who recently revealed the only player who he “hunted down” for their shirt, followed up his initial pick with Keane and United legend Wayne Rooney.
Explaining his reasoning behind Keane and Rooney, he said: “There’s a bit of thought behind this.
“Wayne Rooney was probably the best attacker, best passer and best defender. Roy Keane, best defender, best attacker, best passer. They can do anything.”
Joining Schmeichel, Keane and Rooney in Neville’s team were none other than City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and former United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Neville’s ‘ultimate’ five-a-side Premier League team is posted below.
- Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Roy Keane (Manchester United)
- Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Why did Neville pick De Bruyne?
Neville hasn’t been afraid to speak his mind on De Bruyne during his punditry career, with the former United defender often showering him with praise.
De Bruyne, who endured an ill-fated spell at Chelsea, established himself as a pivotal figure in City’s first team since his 2015 move from German side Wolfsburg.
The 32-year-old Belgium international has lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, two FA Cups and five League Cups with City.
Neville previously admitted that the “absolutely amazing” De Bruyne was the type of player that he wished United had at Old Trafford.
“I watched Kevin De Bruyne last night [against Newcastle] and just felt blessed,” he told the Next Goal Wins Podcast in 2020.
“Every time I watch him play, I feel privileged to be in the ground. He is absolutely amazing. He’s a beautiful thing on a football pitch.
“He wears a blue shirt; I don’t like that he wears a blue shirt. I wish it was a Manchester United red shirt but it’s not, so you just have to watch him and marvel and think, ‘Wow, what a player.’”
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