Neville: Keep The Flame Burning

Gary Neville says Manchester United must "not let the candle burn out" when it comes to producing youngsters capable of representing the first team.

The legendary former Reds skipper was speaking at a live adidas event at Old Trafford to mark the release of the new Ninety-Two shoe. Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe are among those carrying the torch for Academy graduates at present and the future looks bright again in this respect.

Neville, who was joined by his brother Phil, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs in a question-and-answer session hosted by Rachel Riley, is clearly proud that the club has maintained such values when it comes to promoting from within. 

"You can sit here and say that our time is over but also I think if you look at the lads that are still playing in the first team - McTominay, Rashford and Lingard - and the record that's been broken of consecutive games for youth-team players [80 years of having a homegrown product in the matchday squad]. 

"It's important that United continue to tell the story of youth and particularly during a time when it's more difficult for young players to break into the first team. I don't think we should let the candle burn out because ultimately you need to keep reminding people of the importance of producing young players and local players who love the club and have grown up loving the club. 

"Whether it's us or it's even Tottenham, and you respect what they're doing at the moment, or Southampton or other clubs who are producing a lot of young players. It's fantastic to see and the fans can really connect with them."

Neville explained the unique feeling that came with rising through the ranks to emerge as a United legend.

"The Academy for us was special at United," he added. "When you look back at obviously the Busby Babes and, when we were growing up, Norman Whiteside and Mark Hughes came through. And some of the greatest players United have ever had like Sir Bobby Charlton. 

"You're referring back to history all the time and it's the feeling of the blazer, being with the youth team, the Busby Babes were wearing the blazer and the first team still do it. The staff do and it's the history, principles and values that will never change. 

"The Cliff is a special place because of that as well. Also the coaches were brilliant, brilliant coaches - Nobby Stiles, Eric Harrison and Brian Kidd."