Gary Neville anticipates memorable game between Manchester United and Chelsea

Community Shield: Gary Neville, Portsmouth – Manchester United (PA)

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Manchester United legend Gary Neville is relishing the title showdown between his former team and Chelsea on Sunday, believing the game could be a classic.

United’s former captain, who retired three months ago, is in no doubt that the game in hand has all the factors to go down in history as a “great occasion.”

With Chelsea reducing the gap between them and the league leaders from 15 points to three in recent weeks, Neville – now a club ambassador – knows the Red Devils can afford no more slip-ups.

“It’s always the case of pushing ourselves and testing ourselves,” he told the club’s official website. “If we’d won last week at Arsenal, or got a point, it would maybe have been a little bit of a formality on Sunday.

“Manchester United never do it the easy way; it’s not in our make up.

“Sunday’s game is very big. Huge. It’s become one of those matches where the pressure is there, the anxiety is there, the crowd will come in high spirits and be really up for the match. It’s all set up for the team and players to create one of those great Manchester United experiences.

“Against Chelsea we can create one of the great atmospheres at Old Trafford, a truly great occasion. That’s my feeling – that we’ve got everything to look forward to on Sunday.

The former England international, who has played his fair share of important end-of-season games, still maintains that the title is United’s to lose.

He added: “While the players will be a little bit anxious about the match because of its importance, we’re still in a great position and we’d certainly rather be in our position at this point of the season than anybody else’s. It’s in our hands.”