Rooney scores again as Man United beats Liverpool 1-0

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes the 1-0 win at arch-rivals Liverpool can re-ignite their Barclays Premier League title challenge.

Apparently van Gaal has walked away from several jobs in the past, and sources in the Netherlands “claim the Dutchman’s family have become increasingly concerned at the heavy toll leading the Old Trafford giants is taking on the 64-year-old”.

There was little of note in a poor first half in which United failed to create a scoring chance. The downside? The pricetag’s apparently £65 million. You needed a Roger Hunt, a Kevin Keegan, a Kenny Dalglish, a Robbie Fowler, a Michael Owen, a Luis Suarez – any one of them strikers would have ensured Liverpool won this game.

The indignity seems to have spurred Rooney on and he has now scored five goals in his past four games, including a crucial late victor against Liverpool last time out.

“United at this moment will be happy”.

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. “That’s two positives from the game”.

“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”.

The teams were involved in thrilling 3-3 draws in midweek.

Liverpool carved out some openings, for lone striker Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and James Milner, but De Gea wasn’t tested once and the shots were from long range.

“I admit, we survived the first half”, Van Gaal said.

Arsenal keeper Petr Cech, the Man of the Match, was far busier in the second half, denying Marko Arnautovic twice, Bojan Krkic and Joselu as Stoke poured forward looking for a third successive home league win over the Gunners.

Rooney scored with 12 minutes left in play to get United a fourth consecutive victory.

Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool had been punished for being wasteful after their 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.