“Former Man Utd star insulted me all the time” – Arsenal legend Pires claims

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has revealed Manchester United legend Gary Neville was a difficult opponent for him as he always knew how to unsettle him by hurling insults at him during matches between Arsenal and Manchester United.

Despite enjoying a largely successful career with the Gunners, Pires who won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and also the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in 2002 often struggled against United. In fact, in the 13 games he played against us, the Frenchman was on the winning side twice, but suffered seven defeats.

The French legend has described his record against Manchester United as ‘catastrophic’ and says that it is largely down to Neville’s antics as the Red Devils defender was always a thorn in his flesh.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s intense rivalry with Manchester United in the early 2000s, Pires told The Times: “My record against them is catastrophic and I know it.

“My friend Gary Neville. Psychologically, he was always on top of me. He would talk to me all the time, he’d insult me all the time.

“It was in English, so I didn’t understand anything, but I knew they weren’t nice words. He was always talking to me, always barging me, always looking for me.

“He knew how to unsettle me. And unfortunately, he won. I had run-ins with him, with Wayne Rooney, all the time.”