Man United: Gary Neville reveals moment Sir Alex Ferguson ‘SNAPPED’ at Man City shirt swap
‘He went mad!’: Gary Neville reveals Sir Alex Ferguson ‘SNAPPED’ at Ruud van Nistelrooy for swapping shirts with a Man City rival in the aftermath of their humiliating Maine Road derby defeat in 2002
- Gary Neville has spoken openly about Sir Alex Ferguson’s anger at Ruud van Nistelrooy
- Neville described the 2002 Manchester derby when City beat United
- Striker Van Nistelrooy came in in a Man City shirt and that drove Ferguson wild
Gary Neville is candid about the moment ‘all hell broke loose’ in the Manchester United dressing room when Ruud van Nistelrooy came in in a Manchester City shirt after a dismal derby defeat.
The local rivals had just faced off at Maine Road in November 2002, with City emerging victorious after a mistake by right-back Neville gave them a goal.
And the pundit has revealed how legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson went berserk at striker Van Nistelrooy after changing shirts after the match.
The Dutchman had accepted a request to swap shirts with a victorious opponent and walked in dressed in City’s sky blue colours.
Neville, 48, speaks on the latest episode of The overlap ahead of the first-ever Manchester FA Cup final this weekend, the Scot said he was ‘absolutely crazy’ and ‘got it’.
Gary Neville has revealed when Ruud van Nistelrooy angered Sir Alex Ferguson
Iconic ex-Man United boss was furious that Van Nistelrooy switched shirts with a Man City player
Pundit Neville told how ‘all hell broke loose’ when he came in wearing a City shirt
He said: ‘So at the end of that game, I think it came out after that, Ruud van Nistelrooy changed his shirt.
‘Someone asked to exchange shirts with Ruud. Do you remember (Roy)? Who was it that asked to exchange shirts with Ruud?
And he changed shirts and walked into the dressing room with a Manchester City shirt on his (chest). I mean all hell broke loose. He broke!
And basically, “None of you will ever trade one of my shirts ever again,” pointing to the City shirt.
“He went completely crazy. Crazy. It became quiet.’
Neville’s mistake had led to Shaun Goater’s crucial goal in the first half, and he was dragged off after an hour to be replaced by John O’Shea.
Neville added, “I can’t get away from that Goat moment, can I?
It was the only game I ever lost to Manchester City. I remember it just started as a carnival, like a circus in the stadium.
Neville had an afternoon to forget, as his disastrous error led to Shaun Goater’s opener
Neville’s scraped pass was caught by Goater, who slipped past a helpless Fabien Barthez
“Roy (Keane) didn’t play so I captained Man United for the first time that day and I think that came to mind a little bit and I did an interview that week and said, ‘I’ve never lost a derby.’ That was the headline.
“We were losing, then we equalized and then I made this mistake and I went down.
“He was pretty mean sometimes, the boss. He sent me off after half time and then switched me on three or four minutes into the second half so I had to run from the crowd.
“I went home that night and drank. I got bottled beer and was home alone in Bolton.
“Then he called me into the office on Tuesday and let me out of the Champions League game against Leverkusen during the week and he didn’t bring me back for 10 days. Then I struggled for a while.’
His comments come as City and United prepare to face off in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The Red Devils have had a solid campaign in manager Erik ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford, finishing third and winning the League Cup.
They will be desperate to win the final and prevent City, who won the Premier League and play against Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10, from winning a potential treble.
