Man Utd legend Neville pops the champagne after they go joint-top of PL

Gary Neville couldn't resist some Twitter gloating on New Years, popping a bottle of champagne as Manchester United rose to second in the Premier League.

The former right-back's old side are level on points with leaders Liverpool after another Bruno Fernandes spot-kick secured victory over Aston Villa – only trailing their rivals by eight strikes on goal difference.

United haven't won the Premier League since 2013 and have had little to celebrate since Sir Alex Ferguson quit despite heavy investment. Now undefeated in the top-flight since November 1, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are brewing a title challenge.

'Happy New Year (Joint Top),' Neville said on Twitter, attaching a crying-with-laughter emoji and a video of the pundit popping champagne – pulling his best smug-face.

Neville's Sky Sports sparring partner, Jamie Carragher, responded: 'He had the champagne ready! No wonder he said Pogba’s was a pen but Tierney’s wasn’t!!'

Fernandes' winning spot-kick – his fifth after just 16 games – was earned by Paul Pogba, who hit the deck as he was challenged by Villa's Douglas Luiz.

Replays showed the Frenchman had tripped over his own feet, but VAR gave the spot-kick regardless.

Just a week earlier, Neville was adamant that Kieran Tierney had been 'clever' in winning what was 'absolutely certainly not a penalty' for Arsenal on Boxing Day.

The Gunners defender had gone down easily against Chelsea's Reece James inside the 18-yard box in a similar incident to Pogba's, helping the Gunners beat their London rivals.

Rival fans hit-back with digs over the 2011-12 Premier League season, when Manchester City sealed the title with Sergio Aguero's famous smash-and-grab goal on the final day, edging United on goal difference.

'Just like you were joint-top in 2012,' @Niraj_G16 quipped.