Wayne Rooney’s improvement delights manager Louis van Gaal

Rooney has now scored in four successive games and took his Premier League tally to 176, more than any other player for one club, overtaking the previous record of 175 that Thierry Henry managed for Arsenal.

“There are matches we have played much better than today, and in that perspective I can’t say it is a good day because Liverpool were the better team in the first half and normally we are dominating games”.

“I demand it and I demand it also of the players”.

However, although the Spain global was named man of the match, Van Gaal saw nothing but De Gea’s usual high standards. Henderson made the United keeper’s job easy for him by planting Firmino’s cut-back straight into his arms.

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho echoed Schneiderlin’s comments, insisting the Red Devils didn’t deserve the win.

Liverpool need to work meticulously on set-pieces on the training ground, according to Ian Wright..

From a short corner substitute Juan Mata’s cross was headed against the crossbar by Fellaini and Rooney reacted quickest to smash home.

While striker Daniel Sturridge is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in early December the Reds are toothless in attack and until that – and the aerial weakness at the back are addressed there will be more results like this.

“It was massive victory for us”, he told Sky Sports “and continues our good start to this year. We were the better team and the better team lost”, continued the Ivorian, before further venting his frustration. It’s a massive victory for us. So that’s what I’m thinking.

Wayne Rooney’s 78th-minute goal at a chilly Anfield yesterday earned United an opportunistic win over their arch rivals, which left the 20-time champions seven points below leaders Arsenal in fifth place.

Wayne Rooney’s goal in the 78th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides.

“We have a lot of matches still to go”, said the Dutchman.

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“I think this game shall give a big boost to the players, to the fans, to everybody in the environment of Manchester United”.