Gary Neville said that Scott McTominay had turned into Manchester United legends, and Neville's former teammates, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, as the midfielder scored twice against Leeds United.
Before the match there was surprise that both he and Fred started ahead of Paul Pogba, after the Frenchman's recent performances, but it soon became apparent why.
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McTominay surprised everyone he became the first player to score twice in the first three minutes of a Premier League game.
His first goal came after just 67 seconds, as he placed a shot into the bottom corner from outside the area from Bruno Fernandes pass.
Just two minutes later he was bursting past Anthony Martial into the box and being played in by the forward, before slipping the ball pass Illan Meslier.
The two goals caused Neville, on commentary, to claim the 24-year-old had turned into Scholes and Keane. "McTominay's turned into Paul Scholes and Roy Keane inside three minutes," Neville said on Sky Sports.
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"He's driving forward, I'm not sure whether that's in the tactics or if he just fancied it, but he's gone and Martial comes inside, sees him running and he's off. His first touch is brilliant, his second is sublime.
"We thought United would counter-attack and attack quickly, but we didn't think that the holding midfielder would be on the end of it. What a start."
In the studio Keane, sat with former Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, said, "Probably more Scholesy to be fair."
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The Irishman was probably right about the first one especially, with the former Oldham Athletic manager known for his long range finishes, as well as his inch perfect passes.
The second goal though did have the feel of one the former Nottingham Forest midfielder Keane would have scored.
Though his reputation is mainly of a tough tackler, the 49-year-old was an excellent box-to-box midfielder in his prime, capable of getting into the area to score a similar goal to McTominay.
Speaking after the match, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the Scotland international for his performance. "Scott [McTominay] used to be a striker as a kid," the United manager told BBC Sport.
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"He is a physical monster - he can win in the air, he wins tackles, but he's so strong and he's quick as well.
"He just ran into the space that we hoped he would get and it was good work by the other players to create the space and good finishes.
"I have to stop Scott from doing that sometimes - he is an attacking midfielder by nature. But when he sees space in front of him, why stop him? But he's great at shielding his back four."
McTominay's goals kicked things off for Solskjaer's side and they ended up running riot as they beat their rivals 6-2, in the first league game between the two Roses rivals in 16 years.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Sky SportsTopics: Paul Scholes, Football News, Manchester United, Premier League, Leeds United, scott mctominay, Gary Neville, Roy Keane
