‘By a mile’… Gary Neville names the best striker he ever played with at Manchester United

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Winning 12 league titles with Manchester United, Gary Neville played alongside some brilliant players, some of the best in history.

And now an astute pundit, Neville has also had an excellent chance to ponder the best players in today’s game.

Neville is now known for his frank and honest words, so when he calls a player underrated, you often stop to listen.

And when speaking on the latest episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Neville took the chance to name the best striker he’s ever played with at Manchester United. 

Neville claimed Wayne Rooney was the best ‘by a mile’ and thought he didn’t have the correct place in United’s history.

He said: “You get asked sometimes about underrated players and he’s not normally in the conversation, when you get asked about best United players but in terms of when I get asked to name my best Man United 11, he is already number one centre forward.

“He is the best by a mile that I played with. Best by a mile in terms of goals, effort, everything, assists.

“He is never up there in the legends of football, people don’t usually say Wayne Rooney for some reason.”

Gary Neville thinks Wayne Rooney’s time at Manchester United is underrated

It’s certainly an interesting debate to have.

Rooney won five Premier League titles with United, a Champions League medal and countless other trophies.

There’s no doubt Rooney was a star, for England as well, but Neville is probably right in saying his career is still understated.

Although Rooney’s recent managerial tenure at Birmingham City wasn’t a success, the striker was generational, a player in a very small club.

Perhaps Rooney’s failure to win anything with England has slightly tarnished his legacy, even if that’s a little unfair.

Many felt that the striker would be the man to return the glory days to England’s national team, who he scored 53 goals for in fairness.

Although he’ll always be celebrated, Gary Neville is right to say that Wayne Rooney’s time at Manchester United is underrated.

A rare profile of player, who doesn’t have anyone mimicking his style in today’s game. 

That being said, Erik ten Hag’s United have now found a ‘special’ attacker they’d like to add in January.