Now Manchester United can win the Premier League: Louis Van Gaal

Although Liverpool were the better side for most of the match, Juergen Klopp’s team failed to take their chances.

(CNN)Wayne Rooney scored for the fourth consecutive game to give Manchester United a vital 1-0 victory over bitter north-west rival Liverpool at Anfield Sunday.

“When you beat Liverpool, it is good for the fans and for the table as our competitors also lose points, it is a big step in a good direction and I am very happy”.

Rooney’s victor in the 1-0 success against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday was the striker’s fifth goal in his last four outings, having been dropped for the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke City amid considerable criticism of his form during the first half of 2015-16.

78 minutes would see the only goal of the game.

He made two excellent saves from Adam Lallana and Emre Can that meant that he kept a much needed clean sheet.

“Set-play (Rooney’s goal) was unlucky because we changed some players before – I had to change two positions for defending set plays”.

“He is always reaching a very high level so I am very happy, but I can not say that today he has done a lot”, he said.

Louis Van Gaal’s team had just one shot on target compared to Liverpool’s four shots, with David De Gea coming to United’s rescue on several times.

United have the opportunity to extend their unbeaten start to 2016 at the weekend, as a rejuvenated Southampton side visit Old Trafford, in a game United must take all three points from if they are serious about challenging for the top spots. So that’s what I’m thinking.

“I think the smallest of all our problems that we had today was our centre-forward. But we can do it, because we show every week we can do it”. “There were a lot of things but we lost in a derby against Manchester United so I can’t be very positive at this moment so soon after the game”.

Rooney struck after a header by Marouane Fellaini rebounded straight to him off the bar and the United skipper gave keeper Simon Mignolet no chance with his ferocious strike.

United got their winning goal following a corner and Liverpool lead the Premier League with eight goals conceded from set pieces. So I think he had a few good moments and that’s how it is.