Gary Neville is one of Manchester United's greatest players of all time, but he would struggle in today's game, says Gerard Pique
Gerard Piqué has detailed how modern football would leave many of his former Manchester United teammates in the past.
He Barcelona The legend began his professional career in England, joining a United team that was at its best under Mr Alex Ferguson.
The Red Devils were involved in an epic rivalry with Arsenal when the Spaniard shone in 2004, and they were already in their groove with the famous 'Class of 92' academy graduates among the best players in the world.
Winner of the Champions League in 1999, United would win another with Piqué in 2008, and a month later he would return to Barça and become an icon.
The now-retired defender won three more Champions League titles with his boyhood club and added nine more LaLiga titles, as well as a World Cup and a European Championship with Spain.
But none of that would have been possible without his experience at Old Trafford, as he told talkSPORT.
read more about gary neville
“It was incredible at the time,” he began. “I arrived at the club very young but you came to train and there were (Ryan) Giggs, (Paul) Scholes, Gary NevilleSo I think that generation of '92 was incredible.
“But at the same time we had (Wayne) Rooney, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, all the young people who came.
“I remember the weather was crazy, every training session was an opportunity to show that I could play at that level. It was hard, I assure you, because every day you have to mark Rooney, Ronaldo or (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy, but your level is getting better and better.”
When talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein joked that he was surprised to hear Neville's name on the list, Piqué joined in the fun.
“I put Gary Neville because I was mentioning the entire Class of '92, not because of their level!” he said with a laugh.
“He will kill me now! Gaz I love you. I love Gaz and he is an incredible right back, one of the best in Manchester United history, with a very English style, he loves to tackle and go to the pitch.
“I remember a game against (José Antonio) Reyes at Old Trafford, he just destroyed it, but it was his style, I love it.”
When asked if Neville could still excel in modern football compared to right backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker, Piqué gave a resounding no, but not only for Neville.
He explained: “I think football has developed a lot in recent years. I think any center back or right back from the 90s or any left back or any goalkeeper couldn't play now.
“Not because they didn't have the talent, they had the talent, but because the way of playing is totally different.
“A goalkeeper from the 90s was limited to saving, now you have to play with your feet and they weren't trained for that.”