Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain, has disclosed his favorite Manchester United center-forward of all time, naming Wayne Rooney above other notable strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, and Mark Hughes. Speaking on the Rest is Football YouTube channel, Neville expressed his belief that Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals, is often underrated in broader football discussions.
Neville mentioned that while Rooney might not frequently enter conversations about the best Manchester United players, he consistently ranks him as the top center-forward when compiling his best United starting XI. Neville praised Rooney for his goal-scoring prowess, effort, and contributions in terms of assists.
Responding to golfer Rory McIlroy’s praise for Rooney, who identified the former England captain as his favorite footballer growing up, Neville reiterated his admiration for Rooney’s work ethic and described him as the best center-forward at United by a significant margin.
Rooney, who joined United in 2004 from Everton, made 559 appearances for the club during his 13-year tenure, achieving numerous accolades and becoming both United and England’s record goalscorer. Neville and McIlroy highlighted Rooney’s enduring impact, with the golfer emphasizing Rooney’s work ethic and passion for the game.
In a separate context, Gary Neville criticized the board for Manchester United’s struggles and the underwhelming performance of Antony, a player signed for £85 million in the summer of 2022. Neville expressed concern about the exorbitant transfer fee and suggested that the recruitment department should have exercised more authority over the manager, Erik ten Hag, in making such decisions. The Brazilian forward Antony has faced consistent criticism for his performances, and Neville questioned the strength of leadership at the club’s highest levels in allowing the manager to overrule recruitment decisions.