Former Manchester United captain and football pundit Gary Neville has confessed to experiencing a “sickly feeling” in his stomach as he anticipates his former club’s pivotal Europa League final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur on May 21. The high-stakes clash, which will be held in Bilbao, is being framed as a battle between two of the Premier League’s most underwhelming sides this season—but it carries immense importance, with the winner earning a coveted place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
For Neville, the magnitude of the game cannot be overstated. He describes it as “huge,” not just because of the silverware up for grabs, but due to the immense consequences tied to either outcome. A victory could be worth an estimated £100 million in additional revenue for United, thanks to prize money, broadcasting deals, and commercial benefits that come with Champions League qualification.
Yet despite his cautious optimism, Neville admits he struggles to feel excited, a trait he attributes to his defensive mindset shaped during his playing career.
“Roy Keane called it a great game the other day,” Neville told BBC Sport. “That’s how Roy thinks—he always loved the big occasions. But I was a right-back. When you’re in that position, you’re rarely the match-winner. All you think about is not making the mistake that could cost your team the game. That’s probably why I feel a bit anxious about it.”
He continued, “This is a season that’s been nothing short of disastrous for Manchester United in the league. But the club has a strange ability to find ways to win trophies even in times of turbulence. That’s something they’ve done consistently over the past decade.”
Neville pointed to recent cup successes under managers such as Erik ten Hag, Jose Mourinho, and Louis van Gaal, noting that although United have failed to reclaim the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, they’ve maintained a knack for securing silverware during periods of domestic struggle.
“That’s not the worst habit to have as a football club,” Neville remarked. “Even when everything seems to be falling apart in the league, they still reach finals, they still manage to deliver on the big stage. It gives me hope—but doesn’t take away the nerves.”
A New Chapter at Salford City
Neville’s comments came during a wide-ranging interview conducted at Salford City’s Moor Lane ground, just a day after a significant shake-up in the League Two club’s ownership structure was announced. Salford, famously co-owned by members of the iconic ‘Class of 92’ including Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham, has undergone a major transition, with only Neville and Beckham remaining as minority stakeholders going forward.
The club, which captured public imagination through several behind-the-scenes documentaries chronicling their meteoric rise from non-league football to the EFL, has seen its progress stall in recent seasons. While clubs like Wrexham—backed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—have powered their way to the Championship, Salford have struggled to gain momentum and recently missed out on the League Two play-offs.
“Let’s be honest—we haven’t met expectations,” Neville admitted. “Over the last five years, we’ve fallen short on the pitch. That’s a fact, and there’s no hiding from it.”
One of the key backers during Salford’s rise, Singaporean billionaire and Valencia CF owner Peter Lim, has decided to step back after bankrolling the club through significant financial losses totaling £28 million over 11 years. In anticipation of Lim’s departure, Neville and Beckham assembled a consortium of nine reputable investors from various industries to help lead Salford into its next era.
Neville explained the decision as being driven partly by a desire to protect the club’s identity and avoid becoming a pawn in a larger corporate football network.
“There were talks with a multi-club ownership group, but it became clear we’d just be used to rotate players around,” he said. “That wasn’t something I could accept. I didn’t want to feel like a stranger in a club I’ve poured my heart into for over a decade.”
Vision for Sustainable Growth and Stronger Football Regulation
Now focused on building a more sustainable model, Neville wants to keep Salford’s ticket prices among the most affordable in the country. But with one of the smallest fan bases in the entire EFL, striking the right balance between affordability and competitiveness remains a complex challenge.
Still, Neville remains a vocal advocate for reform in the governance of English football. He continues to push for an independent football regulator—something he believes is essential for safeguarding the integrity and long-term health of the game.
“Change is happening,” Neville said. “The EFL’s owners and directors test is far more stringent than it was back when clubs like Bury collapsed. But we need more from the top. The Premier League should be doing more to support the rest of the football pyramid.”
He raised concerns about the increasing disparity between divisions, particularly the growing gulf between the Championship and the Premier League. According to Neville, the financial safety net known as parachute payments, given to clubs relegated from the top flight, is creating a dangerous imbalance.
“We’ve now seen the same three clubs go up and come straight back down two seasons in a row,” he noted. “The system is creating financial cliff edges. That’s not healthy for the sport.”
As both Manchester United and Salford City face crucial junctures—one chasing continental glory, the other striving for domestic stability—Neville finds himself at the heart of football’s ever-evolving story, driven by the same passion that defined his playing days.
