Lee Dixon felt England had produced close to a perfect performance as they saw off Croatia to open their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win in Dallas.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were twice pegged back after captain Harry Kane scored two in the first half but second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford secured three points in the Group L opener.
Former England defender Dixon said on ITV: “This is a really difficult team to play against and apart from the moments in the first half when they gave those two goals away, they pretty much controlled the game.
“They’ve had that forward line, that flair, and the running from midfield to match. They’ve scored four goals. Just stop the two at the other end and it’s been a perfect performance.
“They needed to be tested. Two poor goals in the first half but they’ve really got to their game in the second half. They’ve brilliant in all departments.
“Defensively they’ve looked more sound and everywhere else really good.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was impressed by the response to a stern team-talk from manager Tuchel at half-time.
Neville said: “He’s given them an absolute rocket at half-time because they’ve come out for 20 minutes at the start of the second half and they were breathtaking.
“What I liked then was they had to sit off a bit and they played a bit deeper. He then makes the substitutions and the substitutions have a big impact and we go and get the fourth.
“Some of the stuff in the first 10 minutes of that second half was fantastic.”
Fellow Red Devils legend Roy Keane believes conceding twice will prove to England’s benefit in the long run.
The former United and Republic of Ireland midfielder said: “I think they’ll be delighted to score four goals, their attacking players obviously having had a big impact, subs coming on and doing well, controlling the game particularly in the second half, good set-pieces.
“And I actually think it’s good they conceded a couple of goals because it keeps them on their toes. It’s just a reminder that if you slacken off you concede goals, but overall they’ll be absolutely delighted.”
United would have certainly had their eyes on Three Lions star Elliot Anderson, but they are also believed to be eyeing one of Croatia’s star men this summer.
Man Utd eyeing move for Croatia star
Indeed, according to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Manchester United are considering a move for Como midfielder Martin Baturina.
The 23 year-old scored a stunning goal to briefly level things up at 1-1 on Wednesday and is being chased by several English sides.
Aston Villa are also said to be in the mix, while Leeds are expected to renew their interest having seen a bid rejected in January.
The attacking midfielder six times and provided three assists in 29 Serie A appearances for Cesc Fabregas’ side last season, and many believe he will have a brighter future than highly-rated teammate Nico Paz.
Writer and scout Filipe Sousa believes Baturina is ‘underrated’, and he could be a long-term successor to club captain Bruno Fernandes, who will turn 32 later this year.
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