Leroy Sane stole the show as Manchester City cruised to victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, leading Phil Neville to compare the youngster to Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Sane capped off an energetic showing with a goal in the latter stages of the tie, latching on to a David Silva pass to bury an effort past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

And Neville, a decorated former player of City's bitter rivals Manchester United, believes the specific style in which Sane plays his football bears a striking resemblance to that of Bale.

Leroy Sane's performance against Sunderland have led to comparisons with Gareth Bale

'When I see Sane play I remember Gareth Bale when he went from Southampton to Tottenham,' Neville said on BBC Match of the Day 2.

'Early in the season you thought "Sane, oh he’s young a little bit weak, he's not used to English football" – Gareth Bale was like that but what I’m seeing now is something similar to Gareth Bale.

Phil Neville has compared the direct, pacey style of Sane to former Tottenham man Bale (R)

'The way he has devastating pace, the way he goes past people with that power and pace. Simplicity at times, he’s not someone who’ll do two, three step-overs, it’s running behind, pace, and devastating finish. He could be a sensational player,' Neville added.

Sane was signed by City in the summer for an eye-watering figure of £37million, making the move from his native Germany and the club he had played for since being 10 years old - Schalke.

Sane's heroics at the Stadium of Light were enough to push City back into third place in the Premier League, leapfrogging Liverpool in the process.

Neville was giving his views on City's victory on BBC's Match of the Day 2

City return to action in midweek when they face Stoke City at the Etihad.

The clash with the Potters will be the final league clash for Pep Guardiola's men before their looming FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough on Saturday, March 11.