Manchester United legend Gary Neville has hit out at Salford City's critics.

Salford face the Vanarama National League semi-final against Eastleigh today.

And part-owner Neville says: “You get a lot of, 'Can't wait until you get out of this league — you're ruining it.'

“Every time we go away, it feels like there's a team that is anxious to beat you, a crowd that desperately wants to see us lose. It doesn't bother me, it can act as an ­inspiration. But the idea that we're ­ruining non-League is just ridiculous."

Neville went onto compare himself with the late Jack Walker.

“Look at Jack Walker and what he did at ­Blackburn," added Neville. “He's lauded as a great pioneer, someone who loved his local club and invested some of his money in it.

"That's no ­different to what we are doing."