Gary Neville believes Wayne Rooney had his best game for Manchester United in the derby... and it's down to the coaching of Louis van Gaal

Neville praised the Dutchman for 'fantastic achievement' of changing Rooney's style of play

(GETTY IMAGES)

Gary Neville believes that Wayne Rooney had his best game for Manchester United since he arrived at the club in 2004 - and it's down to the coaching of manager Louis van Gaal.

Rooney failed to get on the scoresheet in the 4-2 Manchester derby and had only 35 touches during the game, a joint-record low for him in the Premier League. Other players, such as Ashley Young, got more of the credit for the important win over Manchester City.

But speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Neville said that Rooney had his best game in red and looked to dominate the City centre-backs off the ball.

The former Manchester United and England right-back said the way Rooney played was unrecognisable from the way he had during the years they had been team-mates.

"Having played with Wayne Rooney for three or four years, having worked with him with England for three or four years, he's a street football player, he can chase the ball, wants to get involved, wants to get everywhere on the pitch," Neville said.

"I think Louis van Gaal must have him on a lead in training, [saying] 'that's not your position, that's not what you're there to do'. He runs back up straight in between Manchester City's two centre backs and he's in position. Now, that is a big achievement by Louis van Gaal, trust me.

Gary Neville praised Louis van Gaal (below) for the work he has done with Rooney (PA)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

"To get that player to play like that, the way he plays the game, you usually see him charging down channels, you usually see him dropping back into midfield, if he doesn't get the ball for five minutes he'll go and get the ball because that's the type of player he is.

"It’s a fantastic achievement by Louis van Gaal. Watching him yesterday, it really did become a silent domination of City’s centre backs. I would think he (Van Gaal) may have watched that game and he might think that’s Wayne Rooney’s best performance for Manchester United."