United pay tribute to former team-mate

Gary Neville tonight expressed the hope that Manchester United’s moving tribute to Jimmy Davis will at least make the parents of their popular team-mate smile for a moment.

The entire United squad changed into replica shirts bearing Davis’ name and his squad number 36 for the trophy presentation following this afternoon’s 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium.

United skipper Roy Keane instigated the move, which Alex Ferguson and the rest of the United camp were fully behind.

Davis was killed in a road accident last August, an incident that shook everyone at Old Trafford even though the jovial forward had joined Watford on loan for the season.

While they accept nothing they can do will ever ease the pain for Davis’ parents, Neville at least hopes it will show the United squad are still thinking of him.

“Winning or losing today wasn’t that important,” said the England full-back.

“Nine months ago, we had a team-mate. We still think about him and we mention him regularly.

“Hopefully, what we did today will make Jimmy’s parents smile for a moment.”

Alex Ferguson said: "It shows our respect for a terrific lad.”

“Jimmy was a smashing kid. His family have found it very difficult so we hope they know we still remember him.”

Keane added: “It was a tribute from all the players.

“It is important we remember how lucky we are.”