Off pitch! Gary Neville's ceremonial throw at White Sox game leads to evasive action

It came as a shock when Gary Neville announced his retirement midway through Manchester United's title winning campaign last season.

However it seems all along the former Red Devil's captain was secretly planning for a new career in baseball!

But in the colours of the Chicago White Sox, the 36-year-old looks like he is going to need to fine tune his pitching technique if he hopes to start a new career across the Atlantic.

All set: Neville swings his arm back to prepare the throw...

...and looks confident as he throws his first pitch...

...but he can only look on and smile as his throw goes askew

Neville took the honours of throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the game between the White Sox and Oakland Athletics at U.S Cellular Field in Chicago on Thursday.

But not even his throw-in experience from years down the flank with United could help him, as three innocent women had to take evasive action from his high and wide throw!

It was all smiles after though as he posed for photographs - and he even managed to get the ball back!

The former full-back was in the US to promote Manchester United's pre-season tour where Sir Alex Ferguson's side will take on MLS side Chicago Fire.