'Manchester United fighting way into title race' - Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United are fighting their way into the title race after securing a sixth consecutive Premier League victory with their 3-0 win over Liverpool while the problems for Brendan Rodgers deepened.

Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie ensured United remained third, eight points behind the leaders, Chelsea. Van Gaal indicated that if his team continue winning and improving they will soon be in title contention.

“I think the most important match is always the next match. We have won six matches in a row which is fantastic but we have to improve our playing style and I am saying that nearly every week. Only after the matches against QPR and Hull I have said: ‘OK, we are dominating the game 90 minutes’,” the manager said.

“We could have dominated the game 90 minutes today but we didn’t do that. We gave unnecessary balls away in the second half. We have to improve but we are very pleased because we know what it is to win against Liverpool. Everybody is happy. My cook is happy, my wife is happy and I am happy.”

United’s ill fortune with injuries struck again when Marcos Rojo suffered a problem in training. This meant Phil Jones was pressed into starting despite not being completely match-fit.

“We have to wait and see,” Van Gaal said of Rojo. “I am not a doctor. He is in a training session, gets injured and then I have to change my lineup again, which I have to do every week.”

Credit: Jamie Jackson/Guardian