Gary Neville has revealed he once tried to convince Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool and sign for Manchester United.
Gerrard was subject to transfer interest from a number of clubs throughout his Anfield career, with Chelsea and Real Madrid among those who wanted to sign the talented midfielder.
No side were able to secure the services of the 41-year-old during the peak of his playing days, however, as he stayed true to the Reds.
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There were occasions whereby he came close to leaving Liverpool, namely in 2005 as Chelsea pursued a deal, and Neville has now claimed he was one of those attempted to engineer an Anfield exit for the Reds' talisman.
The ex-Manchester United explained that he would use time away with England as an opportunity to persuade potential signings, and used this method to convince Wayne Rooney to leave Everton in favour of the Red Devils.
Explaining the methods deployed when approaching players over an Old Trafford move, Neville told Sky Sports : "I think it would be something casual. It wouldn't be like 'Go and poach him' or anything like that. But, you know, have a chat and see what his plans are.
"Where does he like to eat? That type of thing. Have a conversation.
"There were two or three times it happened with England with me, where I spoke to Alan Shearer during Euro 96, you know, I had a conversation with him.
"I was more junior at that time so I couldn't have a serious conversation with him. Definitely with Wayne Rooney, we had a little chat. But he was a younger player, so you can't put too much pressure on.
"With Steven [Gerrard], it was a full-on assault. Let's get him out of there. I want him out of there," continued Neville.
"To be fair, Stevie's answer, he said: 'My family and I would never be able to go back to Liverpool ever again'.
"It was a very short conversation. He was very loyal, Liverpool fans. John Terry probably got about ten minutes out of him and I got about 30 seconds."
