Gary Neville heaped praise on the ‘outstanding’ Bryan Mbuemo and Bruno Fernandes following Manchester United’s derby victory over Manchester City, comparing the latter to club legend Eric Cantona.
In Michael Carrick’s first game in charge as interim head coach, United turned in considered one of their best performances of the season, dominating their neighbours at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
United scored twice within the second-half after Amad Diallo had one chalked off for offside in the primary period. The hosts also struck the woodwork twice with Mason Mount also having one ruled out late on.
Mbeumo was straight back within the United starting XI after coming back from the Africa Cup of Nations this week, replacing Benjamin Sesko up front.
It allowed Fernandes to return to his no 10 role with the 2 combining brilliantly for the opening goal.
Speaking through the game while on punditry duty for Sky Sports, Neville warned United supporters to not get too carried away with what may very well be one other ‘false start’ but hailed the contribution of the pair.
‘Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo have each been outstanding they usually haven’t quite connected perfectly, but now they do. It is totally electric on this ground,’ Neville said.
Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!
As a loyal Metro reader, we would like to be certain you never miss our stories when looking for your news. Whether it’s the newest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to make sure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
‘This is just not a time to get giddy. There was many false starts. That’s three days of pretty good work that now we have seen in 65 minutes from Michael Carrick, I actually have to say.”
‘I expected a battle. Yes, in fact. But I don’t think Man City were expecting United to be as organised and devastating within the combos within the attack.’
Speaking after the sport, Neville went onto describe Fernandes’ performance as ‘Cantona-esque’ having returned to his favoured role in attack.
‘That’s where he’s got to play, be near to goal, be where you may hurt them, because he’s a fantastic player. We don’t wish to see him back in a midfield two in front of a back three,’ Neville he told the Gary Neville Podcast.
‘Is that where we would like to see him? No, it’s definitely not right. I just saw so many things that jogged my memory of what this club plays like, what their DNA is, what they needs to be.’
‘I’ve at all times said Manchester United’s system is such, you will have a forward after which you will have a No 10, it could be [Dwight] Yorke, it could be Cantona, it could be [Wayne] Rooney, it could be [Carlos] Tevez, it could be [Dimitar] Berbatov. Those players that just drop in off a striker, Scholes did it for a lot of years.
‘We’ve at all times had that the majority talented player near our striker and feeding them, and that’s what made me a bit of bit emotional on that goal.’
MORE: Liverpool urged to sign £43m Tottenham star after Burnley draw
MORE: Next Tottenham manager odds as Thomas Frank faces sack after West Ham defeat
MORE: Oliver Glasner attacks Crystal Palace board over Marc Guehi transfer after Sunderland defeat