Jamie Redknapp has hailed Manchester United's weekend heroes who were not first-choice players at the beginning of the season.

Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling were all on the scoresheet as the Red Devils hammered derby rivals Manchester City 4-2 at Old Trafford but ex-Liverpool midfielder Redknapp suggests they would not have been in Louis van Gaal's starting line-up earlier this term.

'Manchester United had four different scorers On Sunday. At the start of the season I don't think anyone would have thought that quartet would be anywhere near the team, let alone scoring vital goals in a huge Manchester derby,' wrote Redknapp for the Daily Mail.

'With all that money flashing around you would have picked Angel di Maria over Juan Mata, Marcus Rojo over Chris Smalling and just about anybody over Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young.

'But all four have proved their worth. People said Mata was too slow but his brain is certainly quick enough. Fellaini is now United's go-to guy and Smalling has improved.

'As for Young, who would have thought he would become one of United's most consistent players?

'It just shows how Louis van Gaal works. He doesn't care about names - he wants to pick the right person at the right time and give everyone a chance.'