Jamie Redknapp and Roy Keane praise Kevin De Bruyne for dominant Manchester derby display

Roy Keane believes Kevin De Bruyne will go down as one of the all-time Premier League greats, after the Belgian produced a vintage performance in the Manchester derby.

City trounced United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with De Bruyne scoring twice in the first half, before Riyad Mahrez added a brace after the break.

The City captain opened the scoring after just five minutes, finishing off a slick move and then netted a second shortly after Jadon Sancho’s equaliser as he capitalised from some calamitous defending.

Aside from his contributions in front of goal, De Bruyne was at imperious throughout the game and Keane was full of praise for the 30-year-old.

‘You’d pay to watch Kevin De Bruyne. He seems to be a really good pro, good attitude. Goals, assists, delivery. [He is a] brilliant player, [look at] the stats, [he is] fantastic,’ the Irishman said while discussing the game on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday panel.

‘He will be up there [as one of the best ever Premier League midfielders] by the end of his career.’

Keane’s fellow pundits Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards were similarly effusive in their praise for the Belgian.  

The Belgian put on a masterclass and scored twice in the Manchester derby

De Bruyne scored the opener and then added a second to put City back in front (above)

‘Talk about elite players, the things Kevin De Bruyne can do with a football,’ Redknapp said.

‘The way he moves it, strikes it… he is to an extent the perfect footballer.

‘He’s similar to Paul Scholes in striking the ball but is as quick as Steven Gerrard. It’s a joy to watch him.

United could not contain the Belgian, who ran the show for the Premier League champions

‘He’s phenomenal. He’s different to most players.’

Richards added: ‘His standards are [high] up here. When he plays like that, he’s the best. Kevin De Bruyne is getting back to his best.’

Following a slow start to the season due to an ankle injury, De Bruyne has gradually worked his way back to his best and has already scored nine Premier League goals this season – his second-highest tally since joining City in 2015.