Gary Neville believes Manchester United have a foundation to build on after delivering their "best performance" under Ruben Amorim to secure a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
United showed resilience and character, attributes Amorim has been demanding, as they scored their first goals at Anfield since 2018 to earn a valuable point against the Premier League leaders.
Amad Diallo netted late in the game, converting Alejandro Garnacho's cross with 10 minutes remaining. This crucial equalizer, combined with Lisandro Martinez’s first goal in two years, salvaged a result after Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah’s penalty had turned the match in Liverpool’s favor.
The performance is likely to energize Amorim, who had urged the squad’s leaders to step up after enduring five defeats in his first eight matches in charge.
Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, admitted he was surprised by the display and suggested United could take more pride in this draw than their recent last-minute win against Manchester City.
"It's the best performance, I think, under Ruben Amorim—maybe all season by a mile," Neville said."To come to Anfield, the best team in the league this year, it surpasses that victory at (Manchester) City the other week.
"City were in a bad moment, and the way the game went, they were a little fortunate to get the victory. I thought United were magnificent from minute one. They fully deserved [the draw]."
Reflecting further on the performance during The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville added: "No one expected that [from Man Utd].
"I know that Liverpool fans will probably say they were a little complacent, thinking it was going to be an easy victory. But really, I thought if Liverpool played half well today, Manchester United, in their current form, would be swept aside.
"The best I thought I could hope for was a 1-0 or 2-0 defeat. I thought United were fantastic. I don't say that lightly because it’s hard playing here. Their guts and courage have been questioned, and so has their quality. I’ve questioned them both.
"They demonstrated both in abundance in that game. They really shocked me. I thought they were fantastic from minute one to minute 90 against a good Liverpool side, who are always going to throw a lot at you."
Neville sees the performance as a potential blueprint for Amorim's future approach at United: "I’m sure some people will mention Man City. Forget City. City was about hanging on and then just getting a couple of goals at the end, which was brilliant.
"That [against Liverpool] was a performance against the best team in the league at the moment. From minute one to minute 90, even to go behind and come back—that’s a real performance.
"Amorim has picked a better team, that’s number one, but he also said, ‘I’ve not had any time on the training pitch with the players.’
"This last week was the first time he’s had four training sessions with them. He’s now got five or six next week, so he did say he just wanted that time."**
Neville tempered expectations, emphasizing the challenges ahead: "I’m not saying everything’s going to be right, but this has been the worst performance of any Man Utd team in a century in terms of league points, so let’s not get carried away.
"But it’s something to hang your hat on. It really is something to hang your hat on."
Neville’s comments underscore a sense of cautious optimism, with United’s performance at Anfield offering a glimpse of what Amorim might achieve with more time and consistency.
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