“I was a bit embarrassed really, but obviously I was buzzing.”
Gary Neville has been reflecting on his debut for Manchester United, and how it inadvertently led to Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous “hairdryer” treatment.
Neville supported United all his life, and was part of the club’s famous Class of ’92, which also contained Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Gary’s brother Phil.
These young players, alongside established first-team players such as Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel, would form part of United’s most successful period. Neville would become a club legend, winning eight league titles, three FA Cups and two European Cups.
Back in September 1992 though, he was just 17 and on the fringes of the first-team. The former defender made the first of his 602 appearances for United as a second-half substitute in the club’s Uefa Cup game against Torpedo Moscow.
Neville’s first act as a United player was a throw-in. However, no-one told Gary Pallister that Neville had a very long throw, and the defender would soon anger Ferguson for not recognising Neville’s ability.
“So I get this throw-in, high up the field, last minute,” Neville says during an interview reflecting on his first appearance for United on the club’s website.
“I had a big throw anyway, but when I was younger it was even bigger. I could throw it into the box, even though Old Trafford was a big pitch. So I launch it into the area, but it comes to nothing. I got in the dressing room after the game, 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 nil-nil 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.”
Pallister got off lightly compared to other times Ferguson used the “hairdryer.” It’s also quite possible the former United manager told him off to raise the confidence of Neville, who was understandably nervous about making his first-team debut.
