Celtic hero calls out Gary Neville as he says HE chose Stone Roses classic as Man Utd walkout song over Rangers anthem
GARY NEVILLE reckons it was he who wanted a new song to welcome Manchester United onto the Old Trafford pitch.
The former Red Devils’ defender claims he took DJ duties as well as the captain’s armband in 2006.
‘This is the One’ by the Stone Roses has become part of the pre-match routine on the red side of the city and is the theme of a new adidas clothing range for the club.
Neville proudly declared on a social media promo for the new gear that he chose the homegrown music as the stadium soundtrack when he took over.
But United legend Brian McClair has called his old team-mate out – insisting HE should take the credit for installing a Madchester classic as the club anthem before returning to Motherwell in 1998.
Sir Alex Ferguson had wanted a change from Tina Turner tune ‘The Best’.
It was used as Rangers’ tune in the tunnel throughout the successful 1990s era as well as United but as an ex-Celtic star, Choccy was none too keen on the song – as you might expect.
But Ferguson’s options of crooners Frank Sinatra or Matt Monro were quickly dismissed and Simply the Best was swapped with the Stone Roses song that has stuck ever since.
But who made the change has opened up a can of musical ear worms.
Old Trafford stadium announcer Alan Keegan backed up Neville’s claim stating he offered the defender a change of song when he took the armband.
He said: “I put the feelers out to ask what he would like as soundtrack to Old Trafford.”
Neville goes on to state: “When the manager made me captain and I knew I’d be leading the team out, I wanted a new song. I was listening to Rocky and I love Rocky.
“But he’s from Philadelphia. I wanted us to come out to a song from Manchester – authentic. I just loved ‘This Is the One.’
“When that song starts you stick your chest out.”
But taking to X, the ex-Scotland international slapped down his team-mate and said: “A figment of Alan and Gary’s fertile imagination!
“Fergie wasn’t happy with Tina Turner, he wanted ‘Walk Away’ by Matt Monroe, when I laughed at this, he stormed off and suggested I pick a tune (not his exact words!) I chose the Roses man!”
Lead singer Ian Brown and bass player Mani are both Reds fans since childhood.
The band’s lemon slice motif appears on the new retro-inspired adidas gear, promoted with the tag ‘Roses are red – Smells like 1989’.
But fans watching the promo material have asked ‘what is Garnacho doing’?
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