The 35-year-old called time on his playing career earlier this week after making over 600 appearances for the club and winning countless medals, including eight Premier League titles.
Speaking to Sky Sports News in an in-depth interview, the former England full-back revealed that his priority was always to try and help his boyhood club to be successful.
"Winning trophies, that is the most important bit," Neville told Sky Sports News.
"A lot of people might not play 600 games at United, but a lot of people have amassed caps and amassed a lot of games, and there might be people who've played 850 games, they might be on 720 in different clubs over their careers.
"The difference, I feel, in my career is that I've played in teams that have mattered and won things, and that's all I've ever wanted to do which is to contribute in some way, however big or small, to teams that have won major trophies.
"That is the only thing that is really important.
"I could have played 450 games, but as long as the tally of trophies and medals at the end is the same, that is what matters.
"To play 500 or 600 games, obviously that would bring you potentially more money and a longer football career, but what really matters is winning trophies and playing for a club that I love and wanted to win trophies for."
"I do feel relief," said Neville, who has struggled with injuries in recent years. "I feel it's the right thing.
"As much as you might think when you see a picture of yourself in a kit or see footage of you from five, six seasons ago, and think 'should I go again?', reality then kicks in and says 'no, it's right'.
"Your body doesn't do what you want it to do. The injuries had an effect on me mentally and my performance level.
"There comes a point where you no longer feel you are contributing and are good enough to play in this team, and that's how I felt."
