Gary Neville preferred playing with David Beckham over Cristiano Ronaldo, it makes total sense

Gary Neville has explained why he had a better bond on the pitch with David Beckham compared to Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

The Sky Sports pundit was United's starting right-back for most of his career and he played with both Beckham and Ronaldo.

Neville and Beckham were part of the Class of 92 and close friends off the pitch, with their link-up on it almost being telepathic.

When Beckham left for Real Madrid in 2003, Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford and never managed to strike up that partnership despite his immense talent.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville broke down why he preferred playing with Beckham.

He explained per Daily Mirror: "Well I never saw Ronaldo, Beckham was better to play with because he actually played with you.

"Ronaldo, that was one of the things about him, he was never in front of you. the odd time he was you could make quite a lot of dummy runs around the back of him. He was a great individual who could play all across the front line.

"I think obviously the partnership with Beckham was something that was special. But Ronaldo at two or three years at Old Trafford was absolutely incredible."

Image credit: Alamy

Together, Neville and Beckham helped United to treble glory in 1999 and five other Premier League titles before his departure.

They also represented England together until Neville retired from international duty in 2007.

Beckham's departure freed up the number seven and up stepped Ronaldo, who joined from Sporting CP as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

It took time for the Portugal international sensation to settle but once he did, he never looked back.

Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League in six years, as well as the Ballon d'Or in 2008.

Image credit: Alamy

Like Beckham, he'd swap Manchester for Madrid and moved to Los Blancos for a then world record fee of £80 million in 2009.

He'd go on to become one of the greatest players to ever live and add four Ballon d'Or wins to his trophy cabinet.

Ronaldo returned to United last summer from Juventus and was given the number seven shirt by Edinson Cavani.

Neville was United captain when Ronaldo departed and played for two more seasons, before retiring and becoming a pundit in 2011.

He's also had a four year spell as England assistant manager and three months as Valencia boss.

Topics: Gary Neville, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_