http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173
The veteran centre back of Manchester United and captain of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, Rio Ferdinand has praised Gary Neville’s contribution to the game, who recently announced retirement from football.
The veteran English right back hung up his boots in February 2011 after failing to recover completely from the niggling injuries. Neville is yet to decide about his future but has already started working with Manchester United’s youth academy in order to
complete his coaching badges.
The 36-year-old right back had the reputation of being an aggressive personality on and off the pitch. Ferdinand, who has been friends with Neville for some time, claimed that Gary Neville would be missed at Manchester United.
“Gary was tremendous. He had great determination and drive and could deliver fantastic crosses. I remember the first time I joined up with an England squad, Gary would be doing his own stretches whilst the manager was talking to the players before training,”
he said.
“People used to take the Mickey out of him for that. But it just shows you the length he would go to in order to maximise his potential. That sort of behaviour earned him a reputation as somebody who was very serious. But he was a really funny bloke and
we will miss him in the dressing room,” he added.
Neville is the most capped right back for England. He has earned 85 caps for the Three Lions and is currently the third most capped centre back in the world.
The former English right back is also one of the rare one-club players and spent his 19-year-long football career at Old Trafford. Neville made his Manchester United senior debut against Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup in September 1992.
He also led United after the departure of Roy Keane and remained the club captain until the 2009-10 season before opting to step down due to injury concerns.
The veteran has won 8 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cup trophies and 1 Champions League medal with Manchester United.
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