On this day: Manchester United's Phil Neville joins Everton

He may have never truly nailed down a regular place in the Manchester United side, but Phil Neville was regarded as a valued member of the playing squad at Old Trafford by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Having risen through the ranks a year after the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham and his brother Gary, Neville was used in both full-back positions, as well as in the centre of midfield on occasions.

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But, it was during the 2004-05 campaign that the writing seemed to be on the wall as far as Neville's United career was concerned.

The versatile defender made just 19 Premier League appearances - 12 of which were starts. That was his lowest number of outings in a single season since 1996-97 and highlighted that if he was ever going to be a key player, it would have to be elsewhere.

With that in mind and aged 28, Neville took the "most difficult decision" to leave United 10 years ago today by moving down the M62 to Everton, despite pleas from his boss.

"This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, but I am excited about joining Everton and relishing my next challenge in football," he told United's official website.

"This was a mutual decision between myself and the manager. I've spent 18 years of my life at the club and I would like to thank Sir Alex, all the players and the fans for their great support."

Meanwhile, Ferguson, who had failed to convince the veteran of 386 United appearances to stay put, added: "This was not a decision we wanted to make, but every time I picked the team and Phil's name was not on the teamsheet, it was very difficult for me.

"You couldn't meet a better professional and he leaves with the gratitude of everyone at the the club for his service to United. I wish all the best to Phil and his family."

It was somewhat fitting that Neville's Premier League debut for Toffees was against his former employers at Goodison Park - a game that the away side won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and ex-Everton striker Wayne Rooney.

After that, Neville went on to be a consistent performer under the management of David Moyes, who soon appointed the England international as his captain at Goodison Park.

His time with Everton may have ended without a trophy, but he was regarded by many to have been a decent acquisition for much of his time with the club, which came to an end in 2013 when he retired from football.