Gary Neville says Saturday's frantic Manchester derby was "nothing like he expected" as Manchester City came away 2-1 winners.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho gave City the win, continuing their 100 per cent start to the season under new manager Pep Guardiola.
The lunchtime clash was given a sizeable billing as Guardiola went up against rival Jose Mourinho for the first time in the Premier League, and though Neville admits he subconsciously thought the game might be a cagey affair, what ensued was a frenzied end-to-end classic.
The Sky Sports pundit said on the Gary Neville Podcast: "The build-up to the game was probably the biggest I've ever seen to what would be, in my eyes, a normal league game - obviously there have been title deciders between these two sides in previous years at the end of the season.
"This is a game four or five games into the season, and the build-up was huge. Subconsciously, we wondered whether the managers would think: 'Let's get out of here without damage.'
"Many predicted a draw, but it was absolutely nothing like I expected, it was the game you would have dreamt of in terms of end-to-end, punch-for-punch, both managers having to make substitutes and having to retreat. It really has been a wonderful occasion."
City, who were without talisman Sergio Aguero, were impressive in the opening stages, settling quicker on the ball at Old Trafford.
Although Claudio Bravo's mistake allowed United back into the game just before half-time, Neville described City's first-half domination as "special", and admits they dismantled his former side early on.
"Man City for 40 minutes were special, fantastic. I think Man City dismantled Man Utd. The word I used in commentary was authority.
"When you're a really top team, able to go to your biggest rivals with the biggest build-up, and just completely dominate, that's when you see the makings of a really good side.
"Pep Guardiola came here with his team and answered a lot of questions. Not just they can dominate like he has done previously in other clubs, but also in the second half to withstand pressure and long balls."
Last season, for the first time since the Premier League started in 1992, both Manchester clubs finished outside of the top three.
Although Neville says the result on Saturday is too early to use as evidence of where the title may be heading come May, he insists the Manchester clubs will be inside the top three this season.
"They will this season [be inside the top three], they absolutely will this season. With my Manchester head on, without my red head on, I'm thinking that was a pretty fantastic game to watch for the rest of the country and rest of the world.
"We talked before the game about how many people would be watching this. You wouldn't have been able to keep your eyes off it. There's no way your leaving 10 minutes early from this.
"In terms of the season it's very early days, it's so early. For Pep Guardiola and City it's a big day, to come and win here against a Jose Mourinho team is tough. He doesn't lose many games at home, and it's a big, big moment.
"Jose Mourinho will be dented tonight, damaged slightly; he's a man of great pride, but they'll respond, it's still early days, and it doesn't tell us about the league title and where it's going.
"Ultimately it means City have bragging rights this week, and that I won't appear in Manchester as much as I would have done if United had won!"