Joey Barton has launched a furious attack as he took aim at Gary Neville - whom he called a "little shop steward" and belittled his footballing IQ.

The ex-Manchester City star has been increasingly vocal on social media in recent months - belittling women's football and now Neville has found himself in the firing line. Barton has enjoyed spells in management, gaining promotion from League Two with Bristol Rovers.

Neville meanwhile hasn't been able mastermind another promotion for fourth tier Salford City - the club he has been involved in with several former Manchester United team-mates. Barton has made light of his record at Moor Lane whilst also claiming the Sky Sports pundit knows "nothing about football".

The 49-year-old frequently gives his opinion on footballing matters and has earned praise for doing so. Yet Barton has cited his poor management record as he mocked his IQ and told him to focus on Dragon's Den - where he's recently begun appearing.

Barton said: "I wonder how the sage of football is feeling this morning (Gary Neville)? Salford finished 20th in League 2 after another £5-6m spend. He must be about £35-40m of Peter Lim’s money in now. Why anybody listens to the clown is beyond me.

"He was a great right back in a great Man Utd team. Managed his whole career by one of the best managers ever. He knows little to nothing about football. Proof is in the pudding. Valencia job, England Assistant coach (Kane taking corners and Iceland), his weekly opinions and Salford tenure attest to that.

"Little, shop steward who thinks he knows everything. Turns out he can’t do anything. So he does everything. Jack of all trades, master of none. Stick to Dragons Den Neville you little t**."

Gary Neville's record at Salford City was criticised (
Image:
PA)

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Barton's opinions came after he cited a pre-season video featuring Neville on The Overlap, where he suggested Jurgen Klopp would rather have United's midfield - the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen - than his current crop of players at Liverpool.

Neville's take has aged poorly with all of the aforementioned trio playing for the Red Devils as they were humiliated on Monday night at Crystal Palace. There is also talk of the likes of Casemiro being moved on at the end of the season.

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