Gary Neville discusses why he changed The Red Devils’ walkout song in 2005

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Gary Neville who took over from Roy Keane as Manchester United’s captain in 2005 changed the club’s walkout song to This is The One in those days. The pundit said why recently during a deep discussion.

‘When I changed it all those years ago, we were listening to [the theme from the film] Rocky,’ he said to manutd.com. ‘I mean, I love Rocky, don’t get me wrong, what a hero Rocky is, but he’s from Philadelphia. He isn’t from Manchester. We have to have something here that’s authentic.

‘Authenticity is everything in this city, and we’ve got great musicians and great songs, and that one is perfect for Old Trafford.

‘Our dressing room had a group of local lads who were in love with this club and love with this city, but then you had people from all around the country that felt the same, and then you had people from all around Europe and the world who came here and became Mancs.

‘The manager used to say to us, immerse yourself in this club, immerse yourself in this city.

‘So this idea that you’re Mancunian, you’re from the Greater Manchester area, you’re a local lad and you’ve got a song that’s so important, with lyrics that are amazing.’

Now it seems the song has come to stay as the club’s walkout song, having stayed on the throne since then.

‘This is the One has stood the test of time because it’s a great song,’ Neville observed. ‘That’s it first and foremost, and that album is legendary.

‘But Manchester United helps keep it alive every single week. I’m up there now on the gantry and that guitar starts to play, and that moment still gives you goosebumps.

‘If you’re a Manchester United fan and you hear that song, then you know it’s time for the match to start.

‘You can have good times and bad times. But still, every United fan that walks over that forecourt into that stadium has a dream and hope that they’re going to see something special.

‘The song that’s played in the tunnel is the start of that moment.’

Gary Neville later added that the song should never be dethroned.