Gary Neville caught on Sky Sports ‘hot mic’ saying what he really thinks about Leeds fans

Leeds United were featured on the opening Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football of the season, with Daniel Farke’s newly-promoted side face Everton at Elland Road – with Gary Neville opening up the season with something of a faux pas

Gary Neville was left red-faced after being caught in an on-air blunder during the opening Monday Night Football of the new season.

The ex-Manchester United and England defender lined up alongside Jamie Carragher and presenter David Jones for Sky Sports’ opening Monday night match of the new campaign, as Leeds United hosted Everton at Elland Road.

Minutes before kickoff, as Sky waited for the two sides to enter the arena from the tunnel area, Neville was unaware that the show had returned from an advert break. And the ex-Red Devils captain showed that there remains no love lost when it comes to a long-time rival – and in an awkward hot mic moment, let the entire nation know it.

As Leeds fans were pictured on screen, wanting excitedly ahead of their return to the top flight following two years away, Neville was caught on Sky Sports saying: “They [Leeds] are the one group of fans I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near.”

At that moment, Jones was seen grabbing his arm, before Neville, appearing to realise he was on air, laughed and said: “Did you hear that?”

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Just as Jones was midway through an apology, Neville duly repeated the controversial line, before Jones responded: “I don’t think they want you anywhere near them!”

It’s nothing new for Neville to take aim at Leeds, despite his belief that the atmosphere makes it one of the more difficult places for players to play. He has admitted previously: “I’d have never have played for [Manchester] City, Liverpool or Leeds. Not in a million years.

“I don’t feel anything bad towards the players who did that, but me personally, I couldn’t have done it. The rivalry is just too much.”

On the pitch Leeds ran out 1-0 winners against David Moyes’ Toffees, new signing Lukas Nmecha scoring a late penalty after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area. The former Wolfsburg striker had been on the pitch for less than ten minutes but coolly drilled his spot-kick into the corner of the net

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