Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has proclaimed the club's win at Liverpool a "significant" day in the race for the top four.

Juan Mata scored twice for the Red Devils in an impressive 2-1 away victory, and Neville says that their strong all-round performance is what makes the day even sweeter.

He told Sky Sports News: "I think it's a significant day, I really do. Significant not just because Manchester United have won, but their performance.

"I didn't think they were capable of coming here today and performing like they did against Tottenham last week. Tottenham were desperately poor in that match – we were there – and I didn't think Liverpool could be made to look so poor in that first half an hour.

"This has always been, historically, the most difficult place for Manchester United to come and play football in the first 25, 30 minutes. It's always been a scrap, a fight and I have to say they were absolutely fantastic in that first period of the game."

United now sit five points clear of Liverpool in fourth.