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Man United legend: These are the two players I felt the club had to sign
GARY NEVILLE saw it all during his time at Manchester United.
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During his distinguished career at Manchester United, he won every club honour available.
Premier League triumphs and THAT memorable night in Barcelona in 1999 when Manchester United won the Champions League would no doubt stand out in his list of highlights.
Under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, Neville became one of the greatest right-backs this country has ever produced.
He also took to the pitch alongside some excellent players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become a world superstar at Real Madrid
Gary Neville played a role in United signing Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United in 2009, has since gone on to achieve even more adulation at Real Madrid.
But reflecting upon the first time he encountered the Portuguese star while on their pre-season tour of the United States, Neville knew instantly the then Sporting Lisbon star was a player United had to sign.
“What a player, I thought. After the match I remember sending a text to my brother, saying 'we need to sign him' and apparently there was a lot of talk about him on the coach after the game,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“Obviously players should never be involved in signings, but he certainly made everyone sit up and take notice.
Gary Neville won a lot during his time working under Sir Alex Ferguson
I was devastated when I had to play against him and I thought 'we've got to sign him'
“I’d never heard of him and I'd never seen him before that night, but there was a huge excitement among the players afterwards.”
And Neville also revealed he dreaded facing Louis Saha before he made the switch to Old Trafford in 2004.
He added: “The only other opposition player I've felt like that about was [Louis] Saha.
“I remember playing against him as a centre-back when he was at Fulham and he destroyed me three seasons on the bounce.
“I was devastated when I had to play against him and I thought 'we've got to sign him’.”
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