Phil Neville: Why I Owe Schmeichel Everything

Ex-Manchester United star Phil Neville attended an exclusive adidas event last Friday alongside his old team-mates David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brother Gary to launch the new Ninety-Two trainer. 

During a Q&A for supporters, the former United, Everton and England defender spoke of his debut, his pre-match superstitions and why he owes Peter Schmeichel so much...

What was it like making your debut for United?
I thought I was just turning up to help the kit man to be honest with you! [Laughs] But even once you're a regular in the first team, you don't really realise it. You were always trying to better yourself and improve because this club was always buying good players. In my position we had two or three really good, international quality players, and every summer the boss would look to bring more players in, which kept us all on our toes.

Did you have any pre-match superstitions?
I think we all had our routines and superstitions – maybe a certain place in the dressing room where you would like to sit, a favourite boot you would wear, or a position in the tunnel that you would like to line up in when you’re walking out. Even the moments before kick-off, when you might like going to a certain area of the pitch to warm up. I used to get a lift with Gary and we used to take the same route to Old Trafford every time because that was our route, and we left at the same time, so you had little routines to make you feel comfortable.

What was your favourite moment in a Red shirt?
Obviously you can't look far past the Treble. But mine’s actually an individual moment when Peter Schmeichel saved that penalty in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal, because I’d just given that penalty away. I honestly thought my Manchester United career was over; it was the last minute, I was tired, I’d played really well in the game as well, and I literally just collapsed on the floor and brought down Ray Parlour. I just thought 'that's it - it's been a good career', and then he saved it. I owe him everything.

What's it like covering United matches as a pundit?
For me, it’s not nice being a pundit on United, because you dread United losing even more than I already would do, because you’ve got to go on the television and speak as a neutral about a team that you don’t want to criticise. Like recently, when United got beaten by Huddersfield, Jose questioned the desire and attitude of the players, and you’ve got to discuss that, and probably criticise some of the team. So I always try to stay clear of Manchester United games as a pundit - you feel as if you can’t be a neutral because ultimately I love this football club. I don’t enjoy watching United as a pundit because it puts me in a position where I potentially have to talk badly about a player in my team.