Louis van Gaal says he would rather focus on the team ethos being constructed at Manchester United rather than individual brilliance after their 3-0 defeat of Liverpool.
The Reds were in devilish form at Old Trafford on Sunday as they sealed their sixth consecutive Premier League victory.
However, Liverpool created several guilt-edge chances and could have notched three or four times themselves had it not been for another superb David De Gea performance.
“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 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. I have said once he was fantastic. I want to mention the team instead of individuals. That is my philosophy.
“Everybody is happy. My cook is happy, my wife is happy and I am happy.”
Skipper Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for United early in proceedings, moments after Raheem Sterling had squandered an excellent chance for the visitors.
Juan Mata then nodded the hosts further ahead before the interval, though he should have been flagged offside as he arrived.
Brendan Rogers introduced enigmatic forward Mario Balotelli at half-time, but the Italian could only watch as his powerful drive was somehow parried onto the crossbar by the excellent De Gea, who had earlier prevented Sterling from slotting in from close-range.
The hosts rode their luck but Liverpool remained toothless, and Robin van Persie sealed vengeance for the reverse score-line in the corresponding fixture last term with his fourth goal in as many matches.
Van Gaal was business as usual however when asked about the significance of the win.
“I think the most important match is always the next match,” he said.
“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’.
“We could have dominated the game for 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.”
Main image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
