"But the spirit will stay in the team because we still have a big group of players here who remain the heartbeat of the side.
"Not just me, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and the Nevilles — but the likes of Roy Keane, who has been here 10 years, and Ole Solskjaer — who has been here seven years.
"We have been together so long you know you can trust each other. You are confident that, whoever you sit next to in the dressing room, they have the right ability and spirit.
"And on the pitch you get to know each other so well. I know if I give the ball to Paul Scholes he will perform some magic.
"If Gary Neville is being challenged one-on-one he will defend the ball — and so on."
Phil Nev continues the theme:
"David is a good friend, and I still speak to him, but it is no different to when Eric Cantona or Bryan Robson left," said Neville, referring to a pair of former Manchester United greats. "Manchester United will move on, as we have in the past. Inside the club, we have already moved on."
And so does another of the class of '92
Phil's brother: "The spirit within the camp is fantastic, just as it has throughout my time at the club," he said. "And nothing happening in the summer will affect that."