Why Gary Neville's anti-Liverpool outburst cements his and Phil's status as football's Chuckle Brothers

In certain parts of Manchester, Gary and Phil Neville are known as the Chuckle Brothers.

And anyone doubting the comedy value of the respective captains of Manchester United and Everton should just take a look at the rib-tickling one-liners they have come out with in the past week alone.

First of all there was Phil. “Joining (Manchester) City is not something that will ever happen,” he said.

No kidding, Sherlock. Can you just imagine Mark Hughes sitting down with Sheikh Mansour for a chin-wag about the best way to spend the next £100million tranche of the City owner’s fortune?

Sheikh Mansour: “I have been hearing great things about a fellow called Phil Neville. What do you think, Mark?”

Mark Hughes: “I put Phil at the top of my wish-list the moment I discovered you were worth half-a-billion pounds, sir. But apparently he doesn’t like the fact that we serve blue ketchup at Eastlands.”

Sheikh Mansour: “Shame. Perhaps we can get Eddie Large to do the half-time entertainment. I’ve heard he’s a City fan.”

Next up on the open mic was Gary, as usual cracking gags about Scousers .

“We (United) are where we are because we deserve to be there and it’s the same with Liverpool,” said Neville as he compared the misery on Merseyside to the mirth in Manchester at the end of another Champions League matchday.

This is the player who had to be told by United assistant manager Mike Phelan to stop berating the match officials as he warmed up as a substitute at Anfield last month.

Liverpool won that game 2-0 – and even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted they deserved to - but that didn’t stop Red Nev blaming referee Martin Atkinson.

If Liverpool beat Fiorentina and United lose in Wolfsburg, both teams will finish the group stages with 10 points – but one club is off to the last 16 and the other to the UEFA Cup.

Funny that.



Which classic football manager are you? Take our test

Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day

Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.

Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.

Your comments

Related content

Why Rooney is the only choice to succeed Terry as England captain
    Why Wigan fans don't deserve Dave Whelan
      Man City really got under Fergie's skin this week - and I have the banning order to prove it
        Why Ronaldo's anti-diving lecture shows he's still a deluded winker
          The Man United myths are painting a false picture - and that's a fact
            Alan Wiley is fit enough to referee, he's just not good enough to do it
              The only way for fans to force to change is to vote with their wallets
                Adebayor is proof that City don't just care about cash and glory
                  Why Barry Kilby will be to blame should Burnley get relegated

                    Latest opinions

                    Blog

                    3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9

                    Football Banter 15:00 09/02/10

                        Almost hometime, and here we are again with another selection of good stuff we've found on the web..... Read More+

                        Column

                        West Ham's players should tell Sullivan and Gold where they can stick their pay cuts

                        Darren Lewis 14:54 09/02/10

                            Personally, I’m getting a bit fed up of David Gold and David Sullivan using the media to justify boo... Read More+

                            Column

                            Why the Merseyside derby did football no favours

                            Darren Lewis 14:32 09/02/10

                                The only things missing from the Battle of Anfield on Saturday were baseball bats and bomber jackets... Read More+

                                Column

                                Why Tottenham's players need to show as much ambition as their manager

                                Darren Lewis 14:28 09/02/10

                                    One win in their last five Premier League games and just three goals since the start of 2010.Tottenh... Read More+

                                    Column

                                    Liverpool remain on course to be third among equals

                                    David Maddock 11:49 09/02/10

                                        What did we learn from the Merseyside derby, apart from the now obvious fact that it is the most vio... Read More+

                                        Column

                                        I'm quite happy with my Mersey derbies having a bit of extra punch

                                        David Maddock 11:42 09/02/10

                                            I'm not adverse to a little violence in football, at the right times, as it happens.Let’s face it, t... Read More+

                                            Blog

                                            On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read

                                            Laptop with Martin Lipton 11:19 09/02/10

                                                The run-in begins now, the fight to the finish, all or nothing at both ends.And while nobody would t... Read More+

                                                Column

                                                Brace yourselves Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season is here

                                                David Maddock 11:18 09/02/10

                                                    Here's a warning to all Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season has started.By that, I mean brac... Read More+

                                                    Column

                                                    Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues

                                                    Birmingham City 10:58 09/02/10

                                                        So... 37 points in February, is it time to crack out the champagne?Following a fantastic win against... Read More+

                                                        Blog

                                                        Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers

                                                        Football Spy 09:56 09/02/10

                                                            From today's Daily MirrorArsenal loan star holds showdown talks after QPR axe - ExclusiveBaggies tie... Read More+

                                                            Blog

                                                            Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day

                                                            Laptop with Martin Lipton 23:00 08/02/10

                                                                The descent has been steep and dramatic, a seemingly endless battle against gravity.But while Arsene... Read More+

                                                                Blog

                                                                Don't bet on Avram Grant or Portsmouth being around next season

                                                                Betting Blog 22:30 08/02/10

                                                                    I woudn't be in a rush to take the 2-1 posted by Sky Bet that Avram Grant is still Pompey manager at... Read More+

                                                                    Who should replace John Terry as England captain?

                                                                    Latest columnists

                                                                    Darren Lewis

                                                                    Darren Lewis Read more from Darren Lewis

                                                                    David Maddock

                                                                    David Maddock Read more from David Maddock

                                                                    Simon Bird

                                                                    Simon Bird Read more from Simon Bird

                                                                    Matt Lawrence

                                                                    Matt Lawrence Read more from Matt Lawrence

                                                                    Stan Collymore

                                                                    Stan Collymore Read more from Stan Collymore

                                                                    Latest blogs

                                                                    3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9 - Football Banter
                                                                      On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read - Laptop with Martin Lipton
                                                                        Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues - Birmingham City
                                                                          Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers - Football Spy
                                                                            Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day - Laptop with Martin Lipton
                                                                              Don't bet on Avram Grant or Portsmouth being around next season - Betting Blog
                                                                                Merk my words, Rio and England can't go wrong in Euro qualifiers - Betting Blog
                                                                                  3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Monday, February 8 - Football Banter