NEVER IN DOUBT

Salford, the club part- owned by Neville, his brother Phil, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes, face United Under- 21s in the EFL Trophy at Moor Lane.

It is the first time the Class of ’ 92 have met their former club in a competitive fixture but Neville says there will be no divided loyalties – despite Butt being United head of first- team development.

“I don’t think there’s any conflict of interest,” said Neville.

“It’s an issue we had to deal with last year, or even when Scholesey was manager of Oldham.

“Nicky has no say in the team at Salford, as none of us do, it’s dealt with by the manager [ Graham Alexander].

“The conflict of interest is perceived conflict, it’s not an actual conflict.

“But there is an element of it feeling different, because we’re playing against United and it’s the first time we’ve ever played against them.

“But I think the pressure’s off, as it’s the Under- 21s, unless Pogba, Rashford and Greenwood rock up and shock us. I’d like that – they might need a run- out.”

United’s young side, which included first- team stars Mason Greenwood and

Brandon Williams last season, must feature at least six players under the age of 21 for the EFL Trophy.

Although Neville admitted it will be strange facing United, given his lifelong link with the club, he said it would be far worse if Salford were up against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

He added: “I don’t think it’ll be that bad because it’s the Under- 21s. If it was

CITY FANS! ( from left) Butt, Scholes, Gary Neville and Giggs the first team we were playing at Old Trafford and there was a crowd, I don’t know what we’d do. But with the Under21s, we can be a bit more relaxed.”

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