Only four players have represented Manchester United more times than Gary Neville, yet even he was surprised and impressed by the excitement and enthusiasm among youngsters at Manchester United Soccer Schools in Abu Dhabi. We caught up with Neville for a chat on his recent visit there…

You’re here in your new role as an ambassador, how are you finding it?
I am enjoying it. I think it’s completely different to playing and I’m seeing the club from a completely different side. I’ve been part of the club on the football side for 20-odd years and have witnessed it from the centre of excellence right the way through into the first team. This is a completely different side of things for me and it’s a role I’ve been enjoying in the first few months. I’ve done quite a few appearances now and there’s still that aspect of football to it, and on visits like the ones to the Soccer Schools I’m getting to see kids playing football close up. Generally everything comes back to football and Manchester United. I feel very proud to be able to speak about the club and will always do so with passion.

This is your first visit to the Manchester United Soccer Schools Abu Dhabi, what have you made of it?
This facility is absolutely fantastic – it’s a credit to United’s name. The work that the coaches are doing here is brilliant and they’ve had something like 750 kids through in the first six to eight months. We’re on a major development site in Abu Dhabi, it’s prominent, a great facility purpose-built for sport, and a great place for children to come and enjoy themselves. Manchester United is branded all around the facility and they’ve built it in such quick time… the partners over here are doing a great job.

What have you been doing on your visit?
I’ve done a little bit of a session with the kids, spoke to the coaches and got an understanding of what it is they’re doing here. Having been to the Soccer Schools in Lisbon about two months ago, it’s very clear to me that these courses not only provide top coaching but they’re also a very powerful tool in spreading the name of Manchester United.

Do you think that’s important?
The first team goes on a pre season tour every summer, but it’s impossible to try and tour any more than that as a football club. And we can’t visit every venue that wants us to visit them. The reality is that by taking the club to children through Manchester United Soccer Schools we’re bringing them closer. Ultimately, children are the ones you want to have the biggest impact on – they are the future generation of United supporters and hopefully if they make it as professional footballers they’ll want to play for our club. But the message they receive is much more than that; at Manchester United Soccer Schools they get good coaching, advice on discipline and good nutrition – aspects that can be applied to all areas of life, not just football.

Have you been impressed by the work of Soccer Schools?
I feel that the work that goes on, which I never got to see much of during my Manchester United playing career, is excellent. Spending two or three days in both Lisbon and Abu Dhabi you obviously get into the details of how Manchester United Soccer Schools works and the excellent coaching that youngsters receive. It’s given me a great understanding of the work that is going into spreading the Manchester United message by giving children great coaching the Manchester United way and with Manchester United coaches.

Have you enjoyed being back playing, albeit with youngsters rather than the first team?
Yes, and they absolutely love it. I’m aware of the impact that Manchester United has all around the world, but you can never cease to be amazed at how children from opposite ends of the world seem to become engulfed by the club and are so happy when they’re wearing the club badge on their shirt. We’re aware of the size of the club, but it’s great to see the passion of such young footballers.

What do you think of the Manchester United Soccer Schools message?
Young players taking part in the Soccer Schools programmes in Abu Dhabi are taught in the same way that United players like myself, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes were taught. Apart from the football coaching, they are also given help to develop other life skills, which are important both on and off the field. It is important to spread the Manchester United ways of discipline, doing things the right way, eating the right things, while also loving and enjoying playing football. I think these are things that can only be good for their lives and their wellbeing. It’s also great for Manchester United in that we’re creating a new fan base and people who are affected all around the world.