Gary Neville has joined Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal in hailing the performances of their defenders during yesterday evening's 2-1 victory away at Arsenal.

With injuries to the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva, Van Gaal reverted to a 3-5-2 formation at the Emirates Stadium, which saw Chris Smalling partnered by teenagers Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.

Reflecting on the performance of that trio, former United full-back Neville has praised the way that the rookies "grew" into the contest.

"The best thing about the United win was that the young def came through it. It could have been a bad one. They did well 2nd half and grew," he wrote on Twitter.

The victory lifted Van Gaal's men, who take on Hull City at Old Trafford next weekend, up to fourth in the Premier League table.