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.
However the problems for Brendan Rodgers have only deepened.
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie ensured United remained third, eight points behind the leaders, Chelsea.
But 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.
Balls away
“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.”
Michael Carrick supported Van Gaal's view that United could win a 21st crown this season.
“We are always looking at how we can get to the top,” he said. “All in all we are in a pretty decent position at the moment. We need to stay up there, we need to stay in touch, then come Christmas and come January, as we’ve said for many years now, if we are up there challenging then we will give ourselves a great chance.”
David de Gea turned in another impressive display which included a memorable reflex save to turn Mario Ballotelli’s shot on to the bar.
“The team has done very well and De Gea has contributed a big part of that,” Van Gaal said.
“I am not cautious with praise to David de Gea but I am cautious [about] every individual player. We are doing it like a team and the team is winning, not one player. I can mention also other players – the influence of their performance was high – but the press wants always one or two. I could mention more than three. We were very good.”
Contract expires
De Gea’s contract expires in the summer of 2016 but Van Gaal would not reveal how any discussions may be progressing.
“I don’t think you have to be acquainted with that kind of thing,” he said. “That is between the club and the player.”
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 line-up again, which I have to do every week.”
Groin injury
The pressure continues to mount on Rodgers as Liverpool stand seven points away from a Champions League berth. The manager, who said
Glen Johnson
had been taken off because of a groin injury, admitted he was struggling to recreate the team ethos of last season.
“We had a team that was growing for a couple of years and has changed with injuries and whatever,” he said. “It is just that emphasis on the team.
“It is pretty clear we are searching to find solutions in the game to get wins. The players are working incredibly hard. There is not a lack of effort. The attitude was first class but when you are not winning as consistently the feelings are a little bit different, but you want to get wins and concentrate on your performances.”
Rodgers said Brad Jones, who replaced the dropped Simon Mignolet, would keep his place for Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth.
“I said to Simon it was for an indefinite period,” Rodgers said. “He has played in a lot of games and Brad, in my first year, came in and did very well. It is something that can happen to keepers, taking them out of the firing line and give them time to reflect.” Guardian Service
