Gary Neville has revealed how much he was paid in his final year at Manchester United on the latest episode of The Overlap.
After spending his entire career at Manchester United, which involved captaining his boyhood club, Gary Neville retired in 2011.
It all started for Neville when he joined United as an apprentice upon leaving school, before captaining the youth side to FA Youth Cup glory in 1991. He made his first team debut for United in September 1992 against Torpedo Moscow before going on to win eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League on two occasions.
Since retiring as a footballer, Neville has been busy working in the media and with his other business ventures that involve property developments and being co-owner of Salford City with former United teammate David Beckham.
Neville is also behind the successful podcast The Overlap, with weekly episodes released, tackling the biggest stories in football as well as sharing anecdotes from yesteryear.
Gary Neville working for Sky Sports
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Ian Wright claims Gary Neville was ‘underpaid’ at Man Utd
It has been 14 years since Neville called time on his playing career.
A lot has changed in the game, especially in terms of money, with players earning significantly more nowadays.
Neville, 50, discussed the contract of his former teammate Roy Keane as he showed the Irishman was earning £1 million a year from his £4 million signing-on fee.
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Keane departed Old Trafford in 2005 following his contract expiry and a feud with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Neville then revealed that in his final season at United, six years later, he was paid £2.3 million a year.
“That’s double what I was earning in my last contract,” Neville said. “He left six years before me, I finished on £2.3m in 2011.
“I did not negotiate my contracts, I just signed them, I was not bothered. Whatever they offered me.
“Whatever they offered me, I just said ‘That’s fine, I’m not bothered.’”
Former Arsenal star Ian Wright was left in disbelief, saying: “You were underpaid.”
Neville made 600 appearances for United throughout his career, scoring seven goals and registering 49 assists.
Neville writes ‘soppy’ note to Bruce Springsteen
Neville has never hidden the fact he is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan.
Having attended many of Springsteen’s concerts, Neville has repeatedly shared his admiration for the music legend on his podcast and social media.
Springsteen stayed at one of Neville’s hotels – shared with Ryan Giggs — during a recent visit to the UK for concerts. The 50-year-old received a gift from the Born to Run singer.
Neville has revealed that he left a ‘soppy’ note for Springsteen.
On the latest episode of The Overlap, Neville added: “I didn’t go see him. I wrote him a welcome note.
“So it’s a bit soppy…”
Neville went on to read the note: “Welcome to Manchester and to our hotel. We pride ourselves on looking after every guest equally and with care but for you I had to write a note.
“Back in January 1985, a month before my 10th birthday, I was watching Top of the Pops at home and saw something different. Something that made me fall in love with guitar music and it was Dancing in the Dark.
“Me and my dad would listen to this record in the car all the time. They were great times and I wish he was here to see you play live with me.
“The day after I ran to the bus stop to catch a bus from my hometown Bury, only a few miles from Manchester, to the only record shop in the town called ‘Vibes’ to buy my first ever album: Born in the USA.
“I have no words for how good you are and how you make us all feel. I will be with you watching on the 17th and 20th in Manchester and coming to San Sebastian and Milan.
“I’d watch you every damn day if I could. Please enjoy Manchester, enjoy the people and I hope you enjoy the hotel.
“All my love, Gary Neville.”