Four members of the iconic Manchester United ‘Class of 92’ will be dusting of their boots in preparation for a surprise return to the football field – at minnows Salford City.
Red Devils legends Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are set to make feature in a pre-season friendly – with fellow alumni David Beckham and Ryan Giggs also tipped to appear.
The fixture has been moved from the club’s cramped Moor Lane ground to the 12,000 capacity Salford City Stadium for the showpiece friendly match on August 7.
The Neville brothers, Giggs, Scholes and Butt sealed a deal to take over the Evo-Stik First Division North club in March, subject to FA approval.
The boyhood friends were spotted on the sidelines for the eighth-tier side’s match against Curzon Ashton at Moor Lane last month.
According to Sportmail, both Neville’s and Giggs are looking to make a substantial financial commitment to the club in order to boost its profits and help aid its recruitment of young talent – something that is close to their hearts.
Last night, Giggs seemed to be on the verge of joining his boyhood best friends in hanging up his boots after a 3-1 win at Old Trafford against Hull.
The caretaker player-coach brought himself on in the 70th minute, replacing 20-year-old Premier League debutant Tom Lawrence, before addressing the crowd at the end of the Red Devil’s final Old Trafford appearance of a dismal campaign.
Giggs, who has now turned 40, has also been tipped to feature for the Class of 92 XI after giving no indication that he will extend his stay at his beloved Old Trafford.
He is the only ‘Class of 92’ star still playing after becoming the first to make it through to the United first team in 1991 and is now the record appearance holder for the Red Devils with 963 appearances in all competitions.
Image courtesy of Universal Picture with thanks
