Gary Neville didn’t kick a ball on his Manchester United debut but he still had a role in some fiery Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer treatment dished out after the game.
The Reds defender was just 17 when he came off the bench against Torpedo Moscow in September 1992, in front of under 20,000 supporters at Old Trafford in a UEFA Cup tie.
He came on for the final five minutes and his only contribution was to take a late long throw which sailed harmlessly into the box.
The first-leg tie ended goalless and Fergie was far from pleased in the dressing room.
“I got in the dressing room after the game,” recalled Neville. “And the manager just went off on one at Gary Pallister. He went mad at him.
‘Have you ever watched the youth team? You’re a disgrace. Watch the youth team and you’d know he’s got a long throw.
We’re 0-0 in the last minute against Torpedo Moscow and you’re on the halfway line!’.
“I was a bit embarrassed really, but obviously I was buzzing. If I died the next day, I’d played for United. From the age of four or five, that had been a dream.”
That dressing room dressing down was nothing compared to what happened after United were dumped out on penalties in Russia. Neville had travelled as part of the squad, along with David Beckham and Nicky Butt, but didn’t get on as the Reds lost on penalties with Steve Bruce, Brian McClair and Pallister failing from the spot.
United were out of Europe but Neville and his fellow Class of ’92 members had lost more than a game. They were in line for a windfall of £3,500 if the Reds progressed, due to the club’s bonus scheme. Given the trio were on £29.50 a week it was a sizeable incentive and one Neville and Beckham had earmarked for new cars.
“In the dressing room afterwards, the three of us are virtually crying in the corner because we’d lost three-and-a-half grand to Torpedo Moscow,” recalled Neville. “I’d lost my Peugeot GTI. I think Becks was ordering a Maserati with his.
“I’m on for £1,500 and it was a grand each for Becks and Butty. We’re thinking, ‘Never mind the result, this is 40 weeks’ wages’.
“The gaffer came into the dressing room afterwards and it was like World War Three. He sets about the three of them (Bruce, McClair and Pallister), arguing about the penalties, and Robbo stepped in. Somebody else stepped in. The gaffer hadn’t calmed down by that point, and with the relationship he had with those lads, he was able to properly get at them. If those lot had started throwing punches, then we were in trouble. They were maniacs.”
United put that defeat in Russia behind them to go on and claim the first Premier League title. Neville didn’t make another appearance that season and only broke through in 1994, going on to make 400 club appearances and win 21 major honours. But it was his debut that remained etched in his memory, alongside the 1999 Champions League final victory over Barcelona, as one of his two emotional moments in a United shirt.
From staying over at The Midland Hotel ahead of the game to enjoying a buffet meal and warming up in front of thousands of United supporters. His mindset was ‘don’t mess it up’. Neville did anything but, even if he had to wait a while longer for his new wheels.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
