Jamie Carragher names the Manchester City star doing what he has 'never seen in the history of English football'

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said one Manchester City player is playing in a way that has never been seen before in English football.

On Sunday, City came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United, with Phil Foden netting a brace and Erling Haaland adding a third for Pep Guardiola’s side.

While special praise has been reserved for Foden after his heroics at the Etihad, on Monday Night Football Carragher opted to highlight the performance of John Stones against United.

Stones started the game alongside Ruben Dias at centre-back but was given license to, when necessary, move into a more advanced role alongside Rodri in midfield.

While comparing Stones to some of the game’s greatest-ever central defenders Carragher explained why the England international is so unique.

"I think we are watching something I have never seen in English football before," he said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"I have been watching football since the mid-80s and I grew up and the only defender I would class as a classy centre-back on the ball was Alan Hansen of Liverpool.

"I then remember watching [Franco] Baresi, he would come out with the ball, again pretty similar and would run with the ball from the back. Rio Ferdinand was another one of those.

John Stones’s role at Manchester City is unique, I’ve never seen a player in his position do what he’s doing right now! #MNF

pic.twitter.com/SKvFyspkSx

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 4, 2024

"The only one who I can think is doing what John Stones is doing now is Mathias Sammer around Euro 96 when I watched them play and he was the sweeper for Germany. It wasn’t about just coming out with the ball, it was actually making runs.

"You can have a guy at the back who is really good with the ball, you can have a guy who steps in and dribbles with the ball, or you can have a guy who moves into the midfield in the defensive role. John Stones is going from centre-back to a No.10, we have never seen this before."