Man United goes top as Man City slips up in Premier League

Ramires fired a thunderbolt into the roof of the net with 12 minutes remaining and Willian then saw his free kick go directly into the net through a crowd of players and unsighted home goalkeeper Tim Krul. “So it’s a new team”, stated Van Gaal.

“Next week we have Arsenal away and I think it is one of the most hard teams to beat in the Premier League, but we won also past year there, so it is possible. The manager has influence but the players much more“, Van Gaal said.

“They have to accept that structure, and that is why I do that [sell players] every season“.

“You need luck, but the balance of the team is better than last season“, Van Gaal explained.

“It gave us a little bit more space in the second half and we played some good stuff and created some chances”.

“It doesn’t make any difference who scores for me and for the team”.

“I could rotate again, we are top of the league, very happy“.

Advocaat blasted the soft manner of United’s three goals, with the two-quick fire goals either side of the interval allowing Louis van Gaal’s side to coast to victory.

Kane, who had scored 31 times for Spurs last season, ended his drought in the 61st and Lamela was rewarded for a fine performance with a goal on the break in the 79th. It changes everything. I talk in another way. We know it’s a massive season for us, with us being back in Europe as well, and after the Newcastle [United] result it was always going to be edgy.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal refused to look too far ahead in the Premier League title race despite seeing his side go top after comfortably beating Sunderland 3-0.

Manchester United replaced Manchester City at the Barclays Premier League summit on a day of contrasting fortunes for the rivals.

It was left to the midfielders to try and unlock Sunderland’s defence, with Mata sending a deflected shot just wide and Depay forcing former City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to palm a long-range shot over the bar.

However, they can complete a ideal month with a win against Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

If that was bad news for Sunderland, what happened 30 seconds into the second half was a disaster as the game was taken beyond them.

England captain Rooney had gone 1,000 Premier League minutes without a goal, but he now sits level third alongside Denis Law on United’s all-time list.

The United goalkeeper had a fairly relaxed afternoon in goal and should be pleased with his clean sheet.

“Of course, personally for [Wayne] Rooney or [Anthony] Martial or [Memphis] Depay it’s important”.