Former Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell has revealed how Gary Neville secretly intervened to secure him a better contract at Old Trafford. Campbell, now 38, made just four appearances for the senior side under Sir Alex Ferguson but recalled Neville's unexpected support during his early years at the club.
Speaking on the UTD podcast in 2023, Campbell said: 'For me, [Neville] was brilliant. When I was 16 or 17, I was doing really well in the games and he was like: "Fraiz, you've done well in the last 10, 15 games, do you want me to go and speak to the manager and get you a better deal?" I was like: "Is this a trick question?" Why would I say no to that? So, he actually went in and got me a new deal.'
Campbell, who progressed through United's academy, found it difficult to break into an attack featuring Wayne Rooney. He enjoyed loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Hull City before moving to Tottenham Hotspur as part of the deal that brought Dimitar Berbatov to United. After three seasons away on loan, he joined Sunderland for £3.5 million in 2009, scoring 10 goals in 71 matches.
Neville also advised Campbell on his future. After a pre-season tour, Campbell asked Neville whether he should leave to play regularly. 'Every time I was [at United], everyone was fit and every time I went on loan, everyone got injured,' Campbell said. 'I spoke to Gaz and he was saying, "Yeah [go and play football]."'
Campbell later played for Cardiff City, helping them win promotion to the Premier League, and Crystal Palace, before returning to Hull City and ending his career at Huddersfield Town in 2022. United face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this weekend.
