Manchester United's smash-and-grab 1-0 victory at Liverpool will strengthen conviction that they can yet end a difficult season as Premier League champions, according to manager Louis van Gaal.
Wayne Rooney's 78th-minute goal at a chilly Anfield on Sunday earned United an opportunistic win over their arch rivals, which left the 20-time champions seven points below leaders Arsenal in fifth place.
United had been second-best by some distance until then, but following a run of four straight defeats over Christmas that saw Van Gaal's position called into question, they are now unbeaten in five games and their manager believes the title is still a viable objective. "I think to beat Liverpool is always important and today (Sunday) it was important because our competitors have lost points," he said.
"We have a lot of matches still to go. We started 2016 very good with a lot of wins, a draw (3-3 at Newcastle United), and we didn't lose.
"I think this game shall give a big boost to the players, to the fans, to everybody in the environment of Manchester United. "We have to continue. That's not so easy. We have seen that today, but we can do it. We show every week that we can do it."
Castigated in some quarters for his performances over the first half of the season, Rooney has become the figurehead of United's mini-revival, scoring five goals in his last four appearances. He was a peripheral figure against Liverpool until the hosts switched off at a corner, allowing Marouane Fellaini to head against the bar from Juan Mata's cross, and when the ball dropped in the six-yard box, the United number 10 reacted quickest to lash home the winner.
"A striker who scores is always very important," said Van Gaal.
"Now he's scoring in a row and we are winning in a row. It's always like that. I'm very happy for him, but also for Manchester United and for the fans, because everyone wants to see Rooney scoring."
There is nobody as prolific as Rooney in the ranks of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who once again preferred Roberto Firmino to £32.5 million ($46.3 million, 42.5 million euros) striker Christian Benteke in attack.
Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney applauds the spectators after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England, on January 17, 2016. Rooney scored the winning goal in Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Liverpool. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.