MANCHESTER UNITED CLUB captain Gary Neville has this evening issued a statement announcing his retirement from football with immediate effect.

Since making his senior debut for the Red Devils in 1992, Neville, 35, enjoyed a long career and successful career, scoring seven goals in 602 appearances for United.

Over the course of a 20-year career, the defender won a remarkable eight Premier League titles and three FA Cups, topping the haul with a Champions League medal from the 1998-99 treble winning season.

Having missed much of the last three seasons through injury, Neville handed over captaincy of the team to defensive partner Nemanja Vidic in September 2010, though he remained in situ as club captain.

In a statement released through the Manchester United website earlier this evening, Neville paid tribute to teammates from throughout his 20 years at the club and, in particular, to United boss Alex Ferguson.

I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had. Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all, and it’s knowing when that time is and for me that time is now. I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to have been part of the team’s achievements and the club’s great success.

“There are so many people I want to thank and, of course, top of that list is Sir Alex. He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years - he is truly one of the greatest managers – and I have to thank him for that.

Love him or hate him, everyone has a “Neviller moment”. Even Liverpool fans. What’s yours?