Manchester United legend Gary Neville has revealed the all-important message that Sir Alex Ferguson would deliver to his players every season during his time at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign at Manchester United came to an end in 2013 after he led the Red Devils to their last Premier League title.
Considered one of the best managers of all time, the 82-year-old iconic Scotsman had a remarkable impact on English football with his dominance at United.
Ferguson hoovered up the major silverware during his illustrious career at United, including leading the Premier League club to a famous treble win in 1999.
The legendary Scot’s trophy cabinet included 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups from his time at United.
Gary Neville spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford and played under United legend Ferguson until he retired from football in 2011.
The 49-year-old former United defender, who is a famed member of the ‘Class of ‘92,’ became a key figure for Ferguson after he succeeded Roy Keane as captain.
Neville has candidly opened up about his experience of playing under the iconic former United manager and how he was one of three locker-room leaders for him.
Gary Neville on Ferguson’s demand for Man Utd
Speaking on The Overlap, Gary Neville and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher were asked what would be deemed as success or failure for Manchester City this season.
Manchester City, who became the second English club in history to complete a continental treble last season, are in a heated title race with Liverpool and Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s men are also through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the FA Cup this season.
Neville, who dropped his verdict on Guardiola and Ferguson in the GOAT debate, recalled his time at United and the demands placed on the players.
The Sky Sports pundit revealed that Ferguson would deem United’s season as “okay” if the Red Devils won at least one trophy.
“The boss [Ferguson] would say win a trophy every season and you’re okay,” Neville said.
“So, I agree with you in principle [of] winning a FA Cup and keeping the trophy sort of winning period going is a success, but because of the standard you’ve set with [the] treble – and with the trophies that Pep’s won – [if] you don’t win the league or the Champions League I think that everyone will deem that as a poor season for City with the standards you’ve set.”
Neville on Man Utd’s post-treble season vs Man City’s
City could make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles if they manage to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to the trophy this season.
Neville was part of United’s iconic treble-winning side and admitted that both himself and his former teammates “felt a bit low” at the end of the following season.
United finished the post-treble season with the Premier League title, but the Red Devils failed to capture any other major silverware in the campaign.
“We won the league the year after the treble,” Neville continued.
“We won the league. We actually felt a bit low – I’ve said this to you [Carragher] before – we felt low.
“We won the league. And you’ll [to the Man City fan] feel the same this season. If you win the league […] you won’t celebrate it in the same way as you did for your first one.
“It becomes to the point where by it just becomes a little bit sort of like almost like it’s mundane. It’s like, ‘Oh, this is what we do.’
“You almost need to lose it to win it again.”