‘I can never publicly’: Gary Neville states whether top players should join Man United or Arsenal
Gary Neville still feels top players should join Manchester United over Arsenal, despite the struggles of his former side.
For decades, Manchester United dominated the Premier League by winning trophy after trophy and it was easy for the best players in the world, or those who were showing those levels, to move to Old Trafford.
But a lot has changed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, with Manchester United struggling on and off the pitch, including zero league titles or Champions League trophies since he left.
With Erik ten Hag now in the dugout, there still doesn’t seem to be any improvement, if anything, the club is still going backwards, as was proven during their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday – Neville stated after the match how the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal are ‘well-run’ clubs in comparison to Man United.
From the Glazers to big-money signings struggling, Gary Neville was asked, if he was neutral, if he would advise a ‘top player’ to go elsewhere, such as to Arsenal, because of Manchester United issues.
The former right-back shared his thoughts and what he can ‘never publicly say’, as he told the Gary Neville Podcast.
Manchester United or Arsenal?
“Even though I have said that (Manchester United is a graveyard for players),” said Neville. “Even though I am basically thinking that and my head says that (players would pick teams like Arsenal over Man United).
“I can never publicly say that a player shouldn’t come and play for this football club because there is still that kid in me that walks up that road there. Past those little food outlets at the top. That walks down towards the stadium. Towards K Stand over there where I sat as a kid and thinks ‘This is magic, this football club’. I will never not think that.
“But the reality of it is, at this moment in time, people say it’s like the 80s. It’s not. In the 80s’, I watched Bryan Robson out on that pitch. Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside. I watched other players of great fire and robustness. Brilliant characters. They just weren’t good enough. Or good enough as Liverpool, Everton or Arsenal that won leagues. But I saw something.
“For ten years, I haven’t seen a lot here.”
Arsenal steaming ahead
Yes, Man United won a trophy last season and finished in the Champions League places, just like Mikel Arteta’s side, who blew their chances of becoming champions of England for the first time since 2004.
But the difference between the two clubs, in terms of style of play, recruitment success, making their home ground a fortress, pushing for the title and individual players improving is pretty big.
Arsenal, currently sitting second in the table and unbeaten, are once again steaming ahead, even though it wasn’t so long ago that the fans had issues and were protesting against their owner, Stan Kroenke.
One thing that can’t be argued is that Manchester United have splashed the cash for many years now, whether they can still attract the top, top players is another thing.
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