Danny Simpson praised Gary Neville for his leadership when negotiating a contract at Manchester United. The former Red Devils captain ended up sorting out a new deal with Sir Alex Ferguson for the ex-right back.
Simpson spent five years at Old Trafford, making the move up to the first team in 2005. Despite only making eight appearances in total for the former Premier League champions, the ex-defender did sort out a contract with the club when he made the jump to senior football - but this wasn't through the usual route.
Typically, footballers negotiate professional contracts through their agents, but Simpson was too afraid to face the intimidating Ferguson to do so. The now 38-year-old decided to consult his captain, Neville, for some advice and found an unlikely agent through this method.
Speaking to talkSPORT's Inside Devils, Simpson said: "Gary Neville actually negotiated my contract with Fergie. As a young kid, when you're starting to knock on the door and get around the first team, you're scared that you're going to annoy him.
"He'd go, 'I want to give you a new contract,' and you'd say to him, 'My agent will see you.' You were scared to say that. Whereas now it's the first thing you say."
Simpson admits Neville showed his true colours by taking on this new role and securing a better deal for the fellow right-back than expected. He said: "I'm thinking, 'If I say that, he's going to bin me off.' So I spoke to Gaz and Gaz was like, 'I'll go see him for you.'
"It was me, Gaz and Sir Alex in the room. I didn't really know what to do. So I'm just sat there in the middle. He (Neville) actually got me more money, to be fair. He actually didn't [ask for a cut]. The Gaz that you see now is always that Gaz."
Neville's kindness in securing Simpson's contract showcases the leadership skills and generous nature that are still seen today. Despite faith being placed in the young defender at the time, Simpson spent most of his United career out on loan to the likes of Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers.
Following a temporary spell at Newcastle, the defender made the permanent move to Tyne and Wear in 2010. He later transferred to Leicester City, where he was at his most successful.
Simpson was part of the 2015/16 squad that were the unlikely winners of the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri. So despite never finding that dominant success under Fergie, the ex-footballer did secure silverware during his career.