Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson starred for Manchester United on Tuesday night in their 2-0 League Cup quarter-final victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Gibson fired both goals for the Red Devils at Old Trafford with two superb drives from outside of the box in the first half.

The Derry native was instrumental in United's successful League Cup campaign last season when they overcame Spurs in the final on a penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium enabling Gibson to earn his first winner's medal in senior football.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson afterwards heaped praise on the midfielder, who won his eight full cap for Ireland in last month's World Cup play-off match against France in Paris.

"His second was a fantastic goal - great movement and work off the ball and a great finish," the United boss told MUTV.

"Darron is the one player at our club who can always get a goal from outside the box. He's got tremendous shooting power as he showed tonight."

Gibson was one of a clutch of emerging players at United to line out against Spurs and the manager indicated he will keep faith with them for the semi-final early in the new year.