FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED captain Gary Neville has claimed that Ireland and Manchester United hero Denis Irwin is the best full-back to ever play in the Premier League.
Irwin played for a number of clubs in his career, but it was at Manchester United where he became a cult hero. The Cork man spent 12 years with United from 1990 to 2002, during which time he made 529 appearances for the club and scored 33 goals.
His trophy haul included seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup.
Irwin left United in 2002 and retired two years later.
This week, a number of former Premier League players were nominated as part of the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame already includes greats like Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, and the new 15-man shortlist has the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Andy Cole, Gary Neville, and Nemanja Vidic, among others.
You didn’t watch him play then? Denis would play full back in any team of theirs! Left or Right! He didn’t give goals away, didn’t give the ball away, brilliant going forward and could take set pieces to the equal of most! https://t.co/sWun4qFDba
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 31, 2023
Irwin was not included, which did not go down well with a number of United fans on social media. Gary Neville, who was included in the list, highlighted how good Irwin was as a player.
One social media user said: "Denis Irwin is criminally underrated, best full back since the Premier League began Gary or are we seeing this through red-tinted glasses? I don't think we are though."
Neville responded by saying: "Agree! Denis is the best full-back in PL history! Fact."
The former United player was questioned by a Liverpool fan who claimed that Irwin was not better than current Liverpool full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
"Neville is on a wind-up. Irwin wouldn't stand a chance under a Klopp or Pep...having to defend, attack, create and assist, sorry but none better than Robbo or Trent," said the reply.
Neville quickly fired back and said: "You didn't watch him play then? Denis would play full-back in any team of theirs! Left or Right! He didn't give goals away, didn't give the ball away, brilliant going forward and could take set-pieces to the equal of most!"
See More: Denis Irwin, Football, Manchester United
