Sky Sports commentator and former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville has named David Ginola among his hardest ever opponents. Ginola won the hearts of a nation during his spells at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. His mesmerising solo runs, smooth looks and his innate ability to entertain made him one of the most compelling footballers to grace the Premier League.
But it was one day in particular that sticks out in Neville’s mind for all the wrong reasons. The date was October 20, 1996. Newcastle were en route to a famous 5-0 victory against Man United, and Ginola collected the ball with his back to goal, keeping Neville at arms length, before swivelling and rifling the ball into the top corner.
Neville believes he was never intimidated by any of his opponents but admits facing Marc Overmars and Ginola was a fearful prospect. “For all the battles, I have to say Overmars,” Neville revealed on Monday Night Football. “Those battles for four or five years was a massive problem.
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“At Old Trafford, big pitch, Petit dropping in – we saw Petit last week at Crystal Palace, he kept drifting that ball over my head – he darted in.
“I always fancied myself against most of them [wingers]. I remember playing against Figo in the Champions League, absolutely unbelievable. Ginola – at Tottenham and Newcastle – scored a great goal for Newcastle past me, got me sent off at White Hart Lane, just his physical stature and the fact he could go both ways.”
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