Paul Scholes hails Kevin De Bruyne as the ‘best midfielder in the world’ after Manchester derby

Paul Scholes has hailed Kevin De Bruyne as ‘the best in the world’ after his man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. 

De Bruyne played a starring role in City’s 4-1 win over the Red Devils – having scored twice in the first half before assisting Riyad Mahrez in the second.  

Following the game, Scholes said that De Bruyne was the ‘best midfielder in the world’, crediting his ability to ‘defend, score goals, create goals, and deliver quality passes’.  

The City captain opened the scoring after just five minutes of action at the Etihad. He went on to add another goal to his tally after Jadon Sancho’s equaliser. 

De Bruyne also registered an assist after finding Mahrez with a well-worked corner shortly after the break. 

Scholes said he was extremely impressed with the Belgium international’s diverse skill set – claiming he showed why he is the best midfielder in the world.   

Speaking to Premier League productions, Scholes said: ‘He’s the best midfielder in the Premier League, probably the best in the world. 

Paul Scholes was particularly impressed with the Belgium international’s performance 

He said that De Bruyne created chances, scored goals, passed well and defended well

‘I can’t think of anybody else who touches him. He does everything. It’s alright when these footballers are great passers and keep possession well, but this lad scores goals, he makes goals, he defends, his passes are brilliant.

‘He’s got absolutely everything you want in a top-class midfielder and it’s difficult to stop them because you’ve got three or four of them. You think of Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden. They’ve got a great team and they come from everywhere.

‘They’ll score goals. Every time he gets the ball, he is thinking about a goal. He’s thinking about scoring or assisting a goal and that’s a great attitude to have.’ 

De Bruyne’s former Manchester City team-mate Yaya Toure agreed with Scholes, saying the Belgium international is a ‘fantastic player’ that ‘makes a difference’. 

Toure said: ‘He’s a fantastic player, he makes the difference, He scored two goals, but especially the assists for the Riyad Mahrez goal, the precision. It’s spot on. The pass from Kevin was delicious.’ 

De Bruyne scored two goals in the first half before providing an assist in the second half

Yaya Toure said that Bruyne was ‘fantastic’ against United and insisted he ‘made a difference’

Meanwhile, De Bruyne said he was pleased with Manchester City’s result against United and that he felt like his side had proven they are ‘a good team’. 

‘I think United played very differently to other occasions, they tried to press us, I think we did well in the second half and created more chances and opportunities for space.’

‘Obviously chances came on the left side, I have to be in the box more when Phil (Foden) is further forward, but it’s just being in the right position at the right time.’

Meanwhile, De Bruyne said he was happy with City 4-1 triumph over the Red Devils on Sunday

‘Today we proved we are a good team and we played really well so we deserved the three points.’

‘Liverpool put the pressure on us but it’s just about winning game by game and we responded today. 

‘We always play the game and sometimes we don’t get the result but we play football our way and that’s what we’ll do until the end of the season.’