Manchester United hero Gary Neville has heaped reward on Chelsea star Joao Felix and believes the Portuguese star is "real class", hinting at his approval for Erik ten Hag to signal the attacker if he turns into obtainable this summer time. The Portuguese arrived on mortgage from Atletico Madrid in an costly January mortgage deal to assist increase the Blues' top-four hopes however he has been frozen out just lately underneath Frank Lampard, and Neville's feedback counsel he would take pleasure in seeing Felix in a pink shirt.

Felix has largely flattered to deceive for almost all of his brief stint at Stamford Bridge, managing solely 4 objectives in his 15 appearances for the west London membership regardless of costing a hefty £9.7m payment to signal on mortgage from the La Liga outfit.

However, the 23-year-old produced a powerful cameo when he got here off the bench in opposition to United within the second half at Old Trafford on Thursday and capped the efficiency with an excellent solo strike.

Felix ran the most effective a part of 40 yards with the ball as United backed off and he discovered the underside nook with a composed end from the sting of the penalty space. And Neville took be aware of Felix's show, waxing lyrical concerning the teenager's capacity on the ball.

“He’s a proper player, him," Neville said of Felix on Sky Sports, speaking after the goal. "Just the way he moves with the ball looks so different, so in control. Class - real class.

"He’s got options in front of him but he thinks 'no, I’m going to go on my own', and he just fires it past David de Gea. Really good finish."

It proved to be nothing more than a consolation in the end as United tore apart their dismal opponents with a 4-1 victory, with Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and a Bruno Fernandes penalty putting Chelsea to the sword. But Felix's performance gave the Chelsea fans something to celebrate as they sarcastically chanted "We've scored a goal" in the away end.

He could have easily been playing in red as United were one of the clubs to turn down the chance to sign Felix, having been offered his services by agent Jorge Mendes in January.

The door remains ajar for Felix to move elsewhere as Chelsea do not have an option make the loan deal permanent - and Neville thinks they could live to regret their mistake.

“They’ve signed everybody but the one player they need an option on [to buy], they haven’t got,” he added.

It seems unlikely that Felix would snub Chelsea to hitch one other Premier League membership, although, after he expressed his want to stay with the London membership.

“I don’t know yet my future. But these four, five months, I loved it," Felix said. "It’s a top club, everyone in the club was very good to me. My team-mates [are] unbelievable. I really like to be here.”