Gary Neville's social media has been bombarded with angry messages from fans after the 50-year-old ranted about Union Jacks and 'angry, middle-aged white men'.
The Manchester United icon made the remarks following Thursday's attack at a Manchester synagogue, where two Jewish worshippers were killed by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie.
Neville expressed a belief that the nation is 'being turned on each other' by 'angry, middle-aged white men' - while also revealing he'd taken down a Union Jack at one of his development sites.
In the clip, which he posted to his LinkedIn account, he stated: “Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up and I took it down instantly.
“Some people might be watching this and thinking: ‘Gary you’re not really patriotic.’
“I’ve played for my country 85 times, I love my country, I love Manchester and I love England.
“I’ve been building in this city for 15-20 years, and there’s no one put a union jack flag up in 15-20 years, so why do you need to put one up now?
“The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.
Gary Neville's social media has been bombarded with angry messages from fans after the 50-year-old ranted about Union Jacks and 'angry, middle-aged white men'
|X/PA
“But I think we need to check ourselves, check ourselves and start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all.”
Neville has faced heavy criticism in the short time since the clip emerged.
And his Instagram account has been taken over by furious fans, with many hitting out at the Red Devils icon.
Neville's last post on the social media site came on Saturday, with the 50-year-old calling for fans to tune in to Sky Sports to watch Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
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Thousands of flags appeared up and down the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours back in April
| REUTERSSince then, however, the backlash has only escalated.
“No longer a United legend," wrote one angry individual.
A second stated: “Won't watch the Overlap (Neville's Sky podcast) ever again after this."
A third chimed in by saying: “Literally the most hated man in the Uk right now. Given Starmer... that's some going, well done."
Gary Neville won eight Premier League titles while playing for Manchester United
Another user stated: “We want you off our screens."
“A fifth raged: WOW I can't believe what you've said. The very people who came to support you and made you your money."
And a sixth hit out by saying: “Talk about priveleged."
Despite many fans threatening to boycott Sky Sports following Neville's controversial remarks, the presenter and pundit won't face any disciplinary action.
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Gary Neville featured 85 times for England during his playing days | PANeville hasn't fallen foul of their guidelines, which read: "Talent and contributors should be aware that social media communities are public forums and should not undertake activity that brings either their programme or Sky into disrepute."
As a player, the right-back made 602 appearances for United - scoring seven goals along the way.
He won eight league titles while playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, while being part of Champions League triumphs in 1999 and 2008.
Neville also made 85 appearances for England during his playing days before retiring from football in January 2011.