Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville once praised one Red Devils legend specifically when discussing their role in the famous Class of '92's development. The crop of talent produced by United's academy during the 1990s has earned almost mythical status on the red side of Manchester, with several of the club's greatest talents coming through the system.
The likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, as well as Neville and his younger brother Phil, all broke into the first team during this class and played pivotal roles as the club went on to win the treble during the 1998/1999 season. But with English football certainly more rough and tumble than it has evolved to today, the flying full-back once singled out one iconic figure at the club when explaining how the youngsters were able to develop a nasty side to their game.
Neville's Praise of Man United Legend That Helped Class of 92
Gary Neville
Speaking in a post after the player in question's death, Neville sang the praises of World Cup and European Cup winning midfielder Nobby Stiles, not for his work on the pitch, but his work off it. In his retirement, the tough-tackling ball-winner moved into coaching, having stints as manager of Preston, Vancouver Whitecaps and West Bromwich Albion, the latter of which he admitted led to him suffering from depression.
However, in 1989 he would return to the place where he made his name as he became a youth team coach at Old Trafford. Throughout the next four years, Stiles would help develop many budding stars including the Class of '92, and he clearly had a profound impact on their footballing upbringing.
Upon his death in 2020 after he battled prostate cancer and CTE-led dementia, Neville paid tribute to his former coach, saying:
"Rest in Peace Nobby. Thank you for all you did for us. You taught us how to fight for everything in that red shirt . 'Your studs are your best friends out there."
He wasn't the only member of the Class of 92 to pay tribute either, with Nicky Butt writing: "He was my first United coach at 13, an icon of the club, and a god-like figure, massive for all of us who came through the youth team. He was amazing, a World Cup winner but probably the most humble man I’ve ever met. It’s a sad day for all of the people at the club and everyone in the country given what he did with England as well."