Gary Neville: Now I hate Manchester City more than Liverpool
By
Ian Ladyman Last updated at 1:35 AM on 10th September 2010
Manchester United skipper Gary Neville claimed last night he now has more respect for old rivals Liverpool than he does for Manchester City.
Neville is loved by United fans for his unashamed hatred of Liverpool.
But speaking ahead of the clash with Roy Hodgson's side at Old Trafford a week on Sunday, Neville hinted at how much City have got under his skin since they started spending big over the last two years.
Love to hate: Gary Neville celebrates in front of the Liverpool fans after United scored at Old Trafford
Neville, 35, said: 'When I was younger there was no doubt about it - I was a United fan, they (Liverpool) were winning everything and it was a horrible time.
'Jealousy, hatred, passion for your own club, you don't want them to win anything and you don't like the people who're winning.
'I suppose it comes from jealousy through my childhood but I have more respect for them as a club in a sense of their tradition and their history than I do for some other clubs who've been coming on the scene in the last few years, throwing a load of money at it. Liverpool have got a good history, you have to hand it to them, and they've been successful.'
The rivalry between United and Liverpool has stayed strong, despite the fact that the Merseyside club have only sporadically challenged for the title over the last two decades.
However, City's emergence as a force in the Barclays Premier League has upped the ante in Manchester and Neville clearly feels that as intensely as anyone.
Delight: Manager Alex Ferguson (left) and Gary Neville celebrate after Michael Owen's winner against Manchester City last season
He also revealed last night that he has no desire to manage when his career ends — in all likelihood at the end of this campaign — but has tipped team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to do so.
He said: ‘I am maybe a bit too emotional. You have to have the patience to understand players. I am not sure I would be able to do that. I think Ryan Giggs can do it. I think Paul Scholes could do it. I am wondering if its the right thing for me. I am not sure.’
Having not played a game this season because of injury, Neville has had to watch from the sidelines but believes the club should prioritise the Barclays Premier League.
He said: ‘The league is a massive incentive this season, it has to be. To lose it last year was terrible. It kills you. You win it three times on the bounce and maybe you take it for granted.’
He also admitted this could be his last season at United, having come close to retiring at the end of the last campaign.
He added: 'Two years ago I thought it would be my last season. Obviously, last year I felt the same. I recognise this one could be as well. I turned round during training one morning (last April) and said, "I have three games to go at Manchester United". I had not spoken to the club and I genuinely felt it could be the last three weeks.'
Neville is not match fit after a groin injury but United hope Rio Ferdinand will be in the squad to face Everton tomorrow after recovering from the knee injury he suffered before the World Cup.
Meanwhile, United defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to be in the squad at Everton tomorrow, while full back Patrice Evra has failed to get a five-match international ban overturned for his part in France's player revolt in South Africa.
He must REALLY hate City
