Louis van Gaal controlling 'street footballer' Wayne Rooney, claims Gary Neville

GARY NEVILLE believes Wayne Rooney played a selfless role in Manchester United’s derby victory over Manchester City last weekend.

Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City: Young and Fellaini praised by van Gaal

Rooney captained the Red Devils to a famous 4-2 win but it was midfielders Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini who took the plaudits and the goals from the game, while defender Chris Smalling’s headed strike added gloss to proceedings.

Rooney, meanwhile, managed just one shot on target at Old Trafford and recorded only 35 touches - the fewest of all the United starters.

But Neville insists the striker played a more crucial role than simply chasing the ball and instead pressured City’s defence and midfield into making crucial mistakes that were then capitalised upon.

“I came away from the game thinking: ‘Was he anonymous? How did he play? We never mentioned him much during the game.’ He wasn’t really talked about that much,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

“Having played with Wayne Rooney for 10 years, having worked with him for England for three or four years, I can say he is a street football player who can chase the ball, wants to be involved and wants to be everywhere on the pitch.

“But I think (manager) Louis van Gaal must have him on a lead in training, and says to him: ‘That’s not your position, that’s not what you're there to do’.”

Wayne Rooney at Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney had just 35 touches in the derby on Sunday

United are now on a six-game winning streak in the Premier League and look set to challenge Arsenal for second place.

City, meanwhile, are looking over their shoulder as Liverpool come up just four points behind them with six games remaining in the race for the top four.

And Neville added of Rooney: “If you look at the touches he had in the game, his average is 75-85 touches a game, he had 35 touches against City. It was his lowest in all his Premier League matches for United.

“But I think Louis van Gaal would have been happiest with him yesterday.

“The fact he held those two centre-backs central, kept those pockets open for Fellaini and Herrera, meant that Young and Mata pulled Zabaleta and Clichy wide.”

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