“The Occasion When Paul Scholes Received a Surprising Kiss” – Gary Neville reveals the reason behind the unexpected kiss he gave Paul Scholes during a Manchester Derby victory years ago, causing confusion across the football world.

All eyes will be focused on the upcoming Manchester derby this season, just as they were in the previous term. Traditionally, the derby has often failed to live up to the hype, but last season was an exception, featuring four intense battles between the Red and Blue sides, including two memorable cup semi-finals. Manchester United emerged victorious, securing three out of the four encounters in dramatic fashion. The Reds finished above City and claimed the Carling Cup. These outcomes were not surprising given the determined attitude of several United players towards their rivals from the Blue side.

In The Story of Our Season: The Official Manchester United Players’ Diary 2009-10, set to be released tomorrow, various United players express the depth of their emotions and their resolve to defeat City. Reflecting on the last derby game of the season at City and his last-minute winning goal, Paul Scholes commented, “I know how much this will mean to our fans. I can assure you it means exactly the same to us. To win in a Manchester derby is a big thing, however you do it.”

The thrilling conclusion heightened the tension among the home fans, and Darron Gibson, who had been substituted, found himself in a prime position to experience their displeasure. Recalling the moment, he stated, “I was going crazy on the bench near the City fans. They weren’t pleased, and there were almost a few punches thrown. When we scored, a few of them leaned over in an attempt to reach us, but there’s nothing you can do about that. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded getting punched, as long as we secured the victory!”

“There was a lot at stake in that game throughout the week leading up to it,” commented United captain Gary Neville. “You could sense at the start of the game that it was a celebratory atmosphere for them. There was an aura suggesting it was their day, that they would secure the victory, claim fourth place, and we would end up losing the championship. What they didn’t anticipate was that they were facing United, and things don’t unfold quite that easily. They were up against 11 players determined to ensure we won the game. Paul Scholes had an exceptional performance, and for him to score the winning goal was incredible. For me, it was the standout moment of the season. We understood that we were out of the league if we didn’t win the game.”

“After that, we were the ones striving to win the game, while City made defensive substitutions, replacing forwards with defensive midfielders. We’ve demonstrated three times that we play until the last second of every match,” Neville explained. “The team’s mentality is always to try and win every match, so late winners aren’t a matter of luck. We got the break we needed with a fantastic cross and a great header. It’s the toughest way to win, but also the best. If you can score in the last minute, there’s no comeback – they simply don’t have the time.”

Neville’s celebratory kiss on match-winner Scholes’ lips drew attention, with John O’Shea confirming, “Nev did get some stick for that, but poor Scholesy couldn’t do much, could he? He was the unfortunate victim who tried to push him off, but it was too late. That’s Gaz for you. I don’t think it was for his benefit, mind you. I think it was to make the City fans feel that little bit angrier!” Neville now finds humor in the incident, stating, “A few people have given me a bit of stick, but I’ve spoken to a lot of my mates, who said they’d have done exactly the same if they’d been able to get to him! I was just so happy.”

Scholes, reflecting on the moment, humorously remarked, “A kiss on the lips from Nev is worth it any time after a winner against City!”

The opportunity for Ryan Giggs to participate in his 33rd successive Manchester derby was too enticing, and the veteran winger was strategic with the truth when discussing his hamstring injury with the club’s medical staff ahead of the game. “I hurt my hamstring against Blackburn, and I thought my season was over, to be honest,” recalled Giggs. “But I had treatment, and it responded really well, and I was desperate to play. I trained on Friday, and I could still feel my hamstring a little bit, so I just kept quiet.”