Gary Neville fires perfect eight-word response to Marcus Rashford stunner for Manchester United

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has insisted Marcus Rashford's 'absolutely incredible' opener in the derby was 'the best way to answer everybody'.

After coming under some early pressure from the hosts, United settled and promptly stunned the Etihad Stadium as Rashford unleashed an incredible strike from outside the area which flew past Ederson and went in off the underside of the crossbar.

The forward immediately ran over to the away end and was embraced by players and fans. In midweek, Rashford undertook an interview with the Player's Tribune where he suggested criticism about his body language was unfair and that he did have a desire to play for the Reds.

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Following his goal, Neville expressed on Sky Sports commentary that the goal was the perfect way to respond to the doubters. "He said in the week, if you back me good, if you doubt me better, but that is the best way to answer everybody to smash one in from 25 yards. Absolutely incredible," the former United captain exclaimed.

"I think [Nathan] Ake just drops back in and they’re playing offside and just watch him on the near side, it just allows Bruno Fernandes to get in behind. He holds it up like a centre-forward does, and you do not think, oh it’s a one-in-30 chance that Rashford is going to beat Ederson from there.

"It comes across his body and what an angle this will be of it. It’s a beauty from Manchester United’s number 10." The result this afternoon shall have a huge bearing on the title race and the battle for the top four.

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