Phil Neville says he 'hated' time at Manchester United

Phil Neville experienced Manchester United’s greatest era under Sir Alex Ferguson, but the club he once called home has endured an extraordinary decline since the legendary manager retired.

Alongside brother Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, he emerged from the famous Class of ’92.

During a decade at Old Trafford, Neville won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League.

He subsequently joined Everton in 2005, where he spent eight seasons before returning to United as part of David Moyes’ coaching staff in 2013.

However, the club’s fortunes have deteriorated dramatically since Ferguson’s departure.

Alexis Sanchez famously admitted wanting to return to Arsenal after his first United training session in 2018, while Angel Di Maria later described Louis van Gaal as the worst manager of his career.

Now, Michael Carrick faces a similar struggle.

Despite guiding United to third place last season, Carrick has won just two of his opening 12 matches this campaign.

Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth extended their winless run to eight matches, with supporters angrily confronting the club’s ongoing decline.

Carrick remains in charge ahead of Saturday’s Chelsea clash, but pressure continues mounting on both the manager and United’s hierarchy.

Now, Neville has delivered a remarkable account of what he witnessed behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

Phil Neville reveals he hated Manchester United experience

Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo’s YouTube channel, Neville revealed his extraordinary unhappiness during his time coaching United under Moyes.

“I was shocked. I hated it. I really did,” he admitted.

Neville claimed the club had become commercially driven following Ferguson and chief executive David Gill’s departures.

According to the former defender, managers were no longer making the final decisions, with recruitment influenced by players’ fame, social media followings and sponsorship potential.

He contrasted that environment with Ferguson’s era, when the manager and Gill exercised decisive authority.

“It just became a circus,” Neville declared.

He believes the structural problems he witnessed under Moyes have subsequently affected Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, Amorim and Carrick.

Neville insisted United require fundamental changes throughout the organisation, rather than another managerial dismissal.

His criticism concerned his 2013/14 coaching spell, not his trophy-laden playing career.