Gary Neville and Ruud van Nistelrooy reveal how they almost had a punch-up at Man United

Gary Neville and Ruud van Nistelrooy have opened up on an incident between them while they played for Manchester United which almost resulted in a punch-up.

The pair spent five years together as team-mates at Old Trafford between 2001-2006 with the Red Devils winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during that period.

However, following a dismal 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Boxing Day 2002, tensions rose.

Speaking on The Overlap with the now-PSV boss, Neville said: 'Do you remember Middlesbrough away? Do you remember it with me?

'You're the only player that has ever come to punch me at the end of the game.'

Van Nistelrooy replied: 'You gave me a right b*********  and rightly so. I didn't do a lot in that game that's what you were going on about.'

During a frustration afternoon for the Red Devils, the Dutchman failed to offer himself as an option for Neville when the right back had the ball which began the scuffle.

Van Nistelrooy recalled: 'And I didn't show because I had an inflamed big toe. It was so red and swollen so I was on flip flops travelling to Middlesbrough. I got into my boots before the game and I couldn't move.'

After he failed to show for the ball, Neville said: 'I went f****** move and you went "f*** off Gary".'

Van Nistelrooy added: 'And I just snapped and I completely lost it and I was storming into the dressing room and came up to you.'

Neville then interjected: 'I remember I got subbed and I went in to the changing room and all of a sudden I heard you shouting coming through the door and you were like "I'm going to f****** kill you" and I was like "God Ruud has snapped", and everyone jumped in between us.

'I feel better about this because I've been feeling bad about my shouting for the past 15 to 20 years.'

The former United striker then showed his humility as he admitted: 'You were right (to shout at me) because I didn't show and I needed to be there at the time for you but it was a hell of a trip that for me.'

Neville concluded: 'And you had a sore toe. I don't think the United fans are going to feel sorry for you.'

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games for United and won the Premier League Player of the Season and Golden Boot in 2002-03 with 25 goals.

He was sold to Real Madrid in the summer of 2006 following an infamous fall-out with Cristiano Ronaldo but the ex-striker also explained how he had got on the wrong side of Roy Keane due to his choice of clothing.

The 46-year-old said: 'Roy with my headband. He killed me for four months!

'When I came (to United) I had longer hair and I put my hairband on for training and I went to the dressing room and the mirrors and he was like "f****** hell mate" for three months.

'I actually had enough of it in the end and cut my hair. He did it everyday for two months and then after three months I had to get it cut.'