By ADAM POGRUND, TRAINEE REPORTER
Published: 08:28 EST, 15 February 2026 | Updated: 08:28 EST, 15 February 2026
Gary Neville partied into the night at a luxury club in a French ski resort - as he remains tight-lipped over Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's controversial immigrant comments.
The former United and England defender, 50, danced with fans and celebrated 'without a care in the world' as he 'sipped £130 champagne' during a five-hour drinking session at the exclusive Cocorico club in Val-d'Isère in the French Alps.
Neville, who has been branded a champagne socialist for his outspoken left-wing political sermons while living a life of luxury, posed with fellow revellers while stood in the club's VIP section.
The £1.1million-a-year Sky Sports pundit later wore a cowboy hat as he delivered renditions of Bon Jovi's Livin’ on a Prayer and Oasis' She's Electric while performing on stage with rock band Queens of the Snow Stage.
The Man United legend, who has a portfolio worth an estimated £100million, frequently wades into politics and faced a furious backlash for ordering the removal of Union Jack flags from his building site last year as he blamed 'angry middle-aged white men' for sowing division.
But he has kept silent amid widespread outrage over Ratcliffe's assertions that Britain has been 'colonised by migrants' who are 'costing too much money'.
Neville, who advises the United co-owner on plans for a new stadium, previously accused Boris Johnson of fuelling racism with his language on limiting migration.
And Ratcliffe's comments about immigrants on Wednesday have caused alarm among a section of the Manchester United dressing-room.
Gary Neville wore a cowboy hat as he delivered renditions of Bon Jovi's Livin’ on a Prayer and Oasis' She's Electric while performing on stage with rock band Queens of the Snow Stage
The former defender turned pundit and property mogul delighted crowds as he partied at Cocorico club in the Alps
Neville (second from right) posed with fans while partying into the night at the luxury club in Val d'Isere
But a 'jolly' Neville 'looked a world away from all the politics going on back home' as he caroused around the high-end venue, where a pint costs upwards of £8.
One partygoer told the Daily Mail: 'He looked like he didn't have a care in the world.
'He was extremely jolly and jovial and was definitely making the most of the club.
'He was drinking Champagne, which was €150 for a bottle of Moet.'
Neville jetted off to Val-d'Isère as Salford, who he co-owns, faced Manchester City in the FA Cup.
'He wasn't hiding at all and was clearly enjoying himself, putting his arm around people and chatting,' the reveller added.
'He looked a world away from all the politics going on back home.
'He was there for at least five hours.'
In one video the former England international can be seen putting his arms around fans as loud music blares throughout the club.
He later got up on stage and sang in front of an overjoyed crowd.
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe sparked outrage after he accused immigrants of 'colonising' the UK
Pictured: A billboard put up outside Old Trafford following Ratcliffe's controversial comments
Neville has re-invented himself as a property mogul since retiring in 2011.
The Labour supporter is now charging eye-watering rent at his new glitzy office building St Michael's in the heart of Manchester's city centre.
He has kept quiet as Manchester United fans lead the condemnation of Ratcliffe, who also accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being too nice, before revealing he has met with Nigel Farage.
Mr Starmer, who shared a stage with Neville at the Labour conference in 2022, called on Ratcliffe to apologise, describing his remarks as ‘offensive and wrong’.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester who has worked closely with the club over plans for a new stadium, said they are 'inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory'.
Comparing the situation in the country to running United, Ratcliffe added: ‘I've seen quite a bit of this at the football club. If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United ... we felt like they were the right things to do. But you do become very unpopular for a while.
‘I've been very unpopular at Manchester United because we've made lots of changes. But for the better, in my view – and I think we're beginning to see some evidence in the football club that that's beginning to pay off.
‘But you've got all the same issues with the country. If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, then you're going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage.’
Gary Neville has faced taunts of being a 'champagne socialist' - though has described himself as 'a capitalist' and 'entrepreneurial businessman who likes to make a profit'
The United minority shareholder later apologised for 'offending some people' with his language but maintained 'open debate' on the matter was needed.
Neville faced similar backlash when he revealed he ordered builders at his construction site to take down a Union flag.
One worker accused Neville of being unpatriotic and suppressing free speech.
He said that the former England footballer saw the Union Flag as he walked past, and immediately went to the gate and asked to speak to the construction site manager over the radio system, so he could demand it was taken down.
The employee previously told the Daily Mail: 'He was walking past when he saw the flag flying on the fifth floor along with a Moldovan flag and another one.
'He got on the radio to one of the workers and started asking why the Union Flag was up there. He only mentioned the Union Flag, not the other two – and said it had to come down.
'Obviously he is the boss, and we are not going to argue with him. But Union Flags are normally put on building sites. It happens all over the country.
'Gary Neville played for England, but he won't let us put a flag up to celebrate the country where we live. It's caused a lot of anger. This wasn't discussed, we were just told.
'He didn't mention the Moldovan flag or the other. He only had a problem with the Union Flag.
'Afterwards we had to do "toolbox chats" for everyone about political messages on the building site. Basically we had to explain why we can't have flags, and we can't express our political views because Gary Neville says we can't.'
Neville spoke about the so-called Operation Raise the Colours campaign to publicly fly England and Union Flags from lamp posts.
The former England defender appeared with Sir Keir Starmer at Labour's party conference in September 2022
He said: 'The division that is being created is absolutely disgusting, mainly created by angry middle-aged white men who know exactly what they are doing.'
The pundit added: 'Funnily enough, on one of my development sites last week, there was a Union Jack flag put up, and I took it down instantly.
'Some people might be watching this and thinking, "Gary you are not very patriotic". I played for my country 85 times and love my country. I love Manchester and I love England.'
A representative of Gary Neville has been approached for comment.