United beats Liverpool 1-0 to spark talk of title challenge

But Van Gaal repeated his assertion that his side is “in transition” and require patience rather than panic before they reclaim their nearly customary position at the top of the table. “When the gap is like this, seven points, you can overcome that”.

“He is very capable to be a manager in the Premier League because he has shown always this kind of football and I think the fans shall love it”. “I think this will give a big boost to players, fans, everyone in the environment of Manchester United”.

With Rooney back in the scoring groove, things look much brighter for the 20-time champions.

Liverpool-born Rooney, who began his career at Everton, was perfectly placed to hook a powerful volley past keeper Simon Mignolet, and has now scored in four successive games.

Meanwhile Van Gaal shrugged off suggestions that the transfer embargo imposed on Real Madrid this week could affect the future of goalkeeper David De Gea. They are the best matches to perform in. Conceding vast swathes of possession and having only one shot on target would surely not have been his pre-match tactics but it proved enough. Liverpool is three points behind United in ninth after failing to achieve the uplift anticipated in the three months since hiring Juergen Klopp as manager.

“I also went back to Anfield with Atletico Madrid and scored the goal which knocked them out of the 2010 Europa League and put us into the final”, Forlan wrote in his National column. “Our finishing wasn’t good”.

Rooney was isolated for much of this game, feeding off scraps, but took his chance well with a true strike after Fellaini rattled the crossbar with a header following a short corner.

Both teams had drawn 3-3 on their previous outings – Liverpool at home to Arsenal, United at Newcastle United – but there was to be no frenzied attacking to warm the 43,865 shivering souls at Anfield.

“We needed to be strong physically and had a great spirit, we fought very hard but couldn’t take our chances”. It is a hard-fought 0-0.

Elneny arrives after winning three consecutive Swiss league titles at Basel, which he joined from El Mokawloon in Egypt. Arsenal is seeking its first league title since 2004 but is only ahead of surprise contender Leicester at the summit on goal difference. Manchester City is a point behind in third after beating Crystal Palace 4-0 on Saturday.