He might be a familiar face on Sky Sports these days, but there is little doubting Gary Neville's place in Manchester United history.

The former defender made 602 appearances for his one and only club, and on the 25th anniversary of the first of them - a UEFA Cup game against Torpedo Moscow on September 16, 1992 - he has revealed the routine he used to go through before every game.

And it is an extensive one.

(Image: Manchester Evening News Archive)

Talking to United's official website, Neville has revealed that there were three things he did before every game, with putting the same tape on his socks being the first of them.

"Over the years, as part of that you develop a little routine, even down to being sat in the right seat on the coach or putting the right Tubigrip tape on," he said.

"When I went back for Michael Carrick's testimonial the other month, they didn't have my tape. I couldn't believe it. They'd had to keep that tape for 20 years. Had to. It was my tape. Tubigrip. D width. Not E. Not C. D width. And then two tie-ups, always cut with the same scissors."

(Image: PA Archive)

Next comes what he'd do after Sir Alex Ferguson had finished his team-talk.

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"I sat in the players' lounge toilets – the same cubicle – for 15 minutes," he said. "When the manager finished his team-talk, I'd get my kit on and go sit on the toilet, with the lid down, and just read the programme in complete peace for 15 minutes.

"Tranquillity. I did that every game."

(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty)

And then finally, Neville made sure he was in shape for the game.

"Every game, for 25 years, I had that massage on my lower back," he continued. "I just needed it.

"Having everything just right calmed me right down. I very, very rarely got nervous over the course of my career. I was always intense before a game, but hardly ever affected by nerves."

Does he do the same before going on Sky Sports?