Gary Neville insists he will not be scared to criticise Manchester United when he begins his new role as a Sky Sports pundit next season.
Neville stopped playing football at the beginning of the year, after netting himself an impressive eight Premier League titles and a Champions League victory during his career at Old Trafford.
However, from next season, Neville will be on the other side of the camera as Sky fill a position created following the axing of Andy Gray in January.
And that raises the potential for Neville having to criticise the club he has supported all his life and made over 600 appearances for during a stellar playing career.
The prospect of a conflict of views with Sir Alex Ferguson is clear.
But Neville is adamant he will speak his mind the same way he has always done.
"Everybody who knows me will accept that I will speak honestly on what I see," he said.
"I have experience of playing in the Premier League, Champions League and for England.
"I understand what goes on in those matches, so I have the ability to speak about them. That is whether it is Manchester United or not.
"I am sure people are going to be looking and asking how he can remain impartial. The reality is the game is the game.
"If they play well and win, they play well and win. If they don't play well, they don't.
"You never see Alex Ferguson trying to shy away from how the team has performed. That will be the same with me next year."
"I am thrilled to be joining Sky Sports. It has always been leading the way in football coverage. Now I have retired this feels like the perfect way for me to stay involved in football and I am looking forward to bringing my 19 years of match experience into television." said Neville.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said Neville will bring his 'vast experience' to the team, giving viewers 'great insight' when he joins.
Neville stopped playing football at the beginning of the year, after netting himself an impressive eight Premier League titles and a Champions League victory during his career at Old Trafford.
However, from next season, Neville will be on the other side of the camera as Sky fill a position created following the axing of Andy Gray in January.
And that raises the potential for Neville having to criticise the club he has supported all his life and made over 600 appearances for during a stellar playing career.
The prospect of a conflict of views with Sir Alex Ferguson is clear.
But Neville is adamant he will speak his mind the same way he has always done.
"Everybody who knows me will accept that I will speak honestly on what I see," he said.
"I have experience of playing in the Premier League, Champions League and for England.
"I understand what goes on in those matches, so I have the ability to speak about them. That is whether it is Manchester United or not.
"I am sure people are going to be looking and asking how he can remain impartial. The reality is the game is the game.
"If they play well and win, they play well and win. If they don't play well, they don't.
"You never see Alex Ferguson trying to shy away from how the team has performed. That will be the same with me next year."
"I am thrilled to be joining Sky Sports. It has always been leading the way in football coverage. Now I have retired this feels like the perfect way for me to stay involved in football and I am looking forward to bringing my 19 years of match experience into television." said Neville.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said Neville will bring his 'vast experience' to the team, giving viewers 'great insight' when he joins.
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