Diego Forlan says he still has fond memories of his brace against Liverpool and the message of praise he received from Gary Neville after his heroics.
The Uruguayan scored 17 goals for the Red Devils during a two-and-a-half year spell at the club, including a memorable double against rivals Liverpool back in December 2002.
Ahead of playing in a United vs Liverpool charity match in May later this year, Forlan spoke of his memories of that past meeting with club legend Neville making sure he knew the exact magnitude of what he’d done for the club and the fans.
‘This kind of derby is always competitive,’ Forlan said.
‘I remember the feeling when I was playing and I still see it when I watch on TV – this is what is beautiful about football, how competitive it can be.
‘Everybody wants to win these games and it will definitely be competitive.
‘The one thing I really remember when I scored against Liverpool was after the game, when Gary [Neville] came to me and said: “You don’t know what you’ve done; you will be remembered for this for years.”
‘That the fans still recognise this, you can see just what it means!’
Forlan won the FA Cup and the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving for Villarreal in 2004.
Despite not spending long in Manchester, the former striker has many fond memories playing under Sir Alex Ferguson and is excited to return for the charity match.
‘Yeah, it’s going to be really exciting,’ Forlan added.
‘I’ve not been back since the 25th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment, but on that occasion I was unable to go to the stadium, so this is going to be so exciting for me and my family.
‘It will be beautiful to pull on the shirt and play in front of the fans again.
‘It is unbelievable that they keep singing my name. I’m really, really proud and it’s something that is really great for me.
‘To be here in Uruguay, sometimes with my family and my wife, watching the game and they start singing my song – it’s unbelievable.’
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