Former England star Gary Neville opened up on the impact that both Mike Phelan and Dion Dublin had on Manchester United’s famed ‘Class of ‘92’ at Old Trafford.
Gary Neville spent his entire prolific playing career at Manchester United after the Sky Sports pundit climbed out of the Red Devils’ youth academy in the 1990s.
The 51-year-old former England international was one of United’s Class of ‘92 stars who rose to major success during their time at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Gary Neville enjoyed playing alongside the likes of Sir David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville from the Class of ‘92 ranks at the club.
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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park in 2025 in Birmingham, England.
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Gary Neville reveals the influence that Mike Phelan and Dion Dublin had on the Class of ’92 at Man Utd
The Class of ’92 were a key part of the success story for iconic ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his incredible reign at the Premier League club.
Gary Neville and other Class of ’92 members were brought through the Red Devils academy ranks and fast-tracked to the United first-team squad at Old Trafford.
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The Class of ’92 forever etched their names into the history books at the Premier League club and won a famous treble with Man Utd under Ferguson in 1999.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville admitted that former United teammates Mike Phelan and Dion Dublin made a lasting impression on key members of the Class of ’92.
“When was the first time a senior pro looked after me? Do you know who was brilliant with us?” Neville asked.
“Dion Dublin was brilliant with young lads when we played for the reserves.
“Yeah, I must say Mickey Phelan and Dion Dublin were great with us when we played in the reserves and sort of really looked after us.”
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Mike Phelan opened up on the challenge that Man Utd legend Gary Neville made with his emergence at Old Trafford
Phelan, who later became assistant manager under Ferguson at Old Trafford, recalled how Neville’s rise into the first team marked his end at Man Utd as a player.
“He [Ferguson] came up to me the Friday before the game on Saturday, the last game of the season, and pulled me to one side at the training ground,” he told The Athletic in 2019.
“He said: ‘Enough’s enough, son. I’m letting you go.’ ‘Letting me go where?’ ‘You’ve done terrific for me, but I’m going to bring in some of the young kids.’
“This is when the Class of ‘92 were around. I was older then, a little bit gobby.
“’Who?’ ‘I’m going to play Gary Neville.’ ‘Gary Neville? What’s he got? Come on, Gaffer. You’re gonna play a kid?’ ‘Yeah.’”
Phelan lifted a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup with United in the late 1980s and in the 1990s before he left Old Trafford as a player in 1994.
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