Could Manchester United Rally Behind a Club Legend: Neville as Amorim’s Potential Replacement
12 October 2025
Could Gary Neville Be United's Next Manager?
Manchester United’s under‑pressure manager Ruben Amorim faces mounting scrutiny as results wobble, prompting fresh talk about leadership at Old Trafford.
In the middle of the debate, Álvaro Negredo, the former Manchester City and Valencia forward, floated an offbeat idea that Gary Neville could be a surprising choice to steer the club through this rough spell.
Neville’s strategic stint in management came in 2015 when he led Valencia for 28 matches, ending with a dismissal after three league wins. Despite that, Negredo argues Neville’s impact goes beyond numbers, underscoring the value of a club legend guiding the culture.
Negredo said that United's situation would determine suitability and that Neville was a hugely important figure who contributed a lot to English football.
Negredo added that, as in the Valencia chapter, United could be in a dip that cannot be solved quickly. He suggested that changes happen when the team is not at its best and that Neville deserves a chance because he is a coach with notable qualities.
Since Valencia, Neville has not returned to coaching and has become a prominent Sky Sports pundit, while pursuing business interests including partial ownership of Salford City.
Negredo admitted he was surprised Neville not returning to coaching, noting that language barriers in Spain might have limited opportunities, while in England Neville would likely have had more chances because of his experience and positive mindset.
The central question now is whether Neville could become United's next manager, while the club remains committed to Amorim despite a slow start.
United currently sits around tenth in the Premier League after seven matches, with a highly anticipated clash against Liverpool at Anfield looming.
Neville is widely seen as a symbol of United’s golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson, combining loyalty, leadership and defensive solidity that defined the club's identity.
Born on February 18, 1975, in Bury, Neville joined United's academy early and rose through the Class of ’92 with Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and the others, becoming a cornerstone of the modern United empire.
Noted for tactical discipline and solidity on the right, Neville also contributed to attacks with precise passing and leadership. Over 19 seasons at United, Neville played more than 600 games and collected eight Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and the 2008 Club World Cup. He wore the captain’s armband after Roy Keane’s retirement, embodying the club’s spirit until his retirement in 2011.
Internationally, Neville earned 85 England caps between 1995 and 2007, featuring in the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and Euro 1996 and 2004. Although he did not win a senior international trophy, he remains one of England’s most celebrated right backs.
Post-retirement, Neville moved into punditry with Sky Sports, where his sharp match analysis and candid evaluations earned him enduring respect in British media. His 2015 Valencia spell drew praise for his approach, though it ended after 28 games amid a poor run.
Today, his stake in Salford City with former United teammates shows a broader plan to shape football beyond the top flight.
Ultimately, whether Neville becomes United’s next manager or remains a strategic voice from the stands, his career offers a blueprint of loyalty, leadership and a willingness to evolve—qualities that could still serve Old Trafford in uncertain times.
And if you doubt the future, remember that a club legend can still crave a reboot, because sometimes a good defense begins with a sharper joke. If the plan goes south, at least the press conferences will be entertaining.
