• Premier League

Van Gaal: Beating Liverpool up there with the best

Louis van Gaal was full of praise for Manchester United's matchwinner Juan Mata © Getty Images

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Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United's 2-1 victory at Anfield ranks as one of the most significant moments of his career.

Van Gaal, who lifted the Champions League with Ajax and has won league titles in four countries, saw his side cement their hold on fourth place as a victory secured through Juan Mata's brace opened up a five-point lead to Liverpool.

It puts United on course to return to the Champions League and Van Gaal was delighted with their first-half display.

"Now the gap is five points ahead of Liverpool and six ahead of Tottenham and Southampton, so the moment to win is one of the most important in my career," Van Gaal said.

The Dutchman was disappointed United found it harder to play against Liverpool after Steven Gerrard's sending off but felt his team had beaten Brendan Rodgers' side at their own game.

He added: "It was the best first 45 minutes because the second half we were not so good anymore. That is a little bit amazing because we played 11 against 10 and it should be easy or easier than the first half but it was not.

"The first half was very good because I knew in advance that Liverpool should press us and they did and we played them off the pitch in the first half. We scored a fantastic goal and gave nothing away so it was a superb first half.

"We beat them again with their own weapons and with the pressure on the ball."

Van Gaal refused to rule Liverpool out of the race for a top-four finish, though, saying: "Never, because it is still eight matches to go. Eight [games] is 24 points. They can still be champions, Liverpool."

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager hailed his match-winner Mata. The Spaniard had only played 23 minutes' football in seven games before returning to the team against Tottenham last week but Van Gaal argued he was always impressed with the former Chelsea star's performances.

"Mata is always one of my better players, so that is not the problem, but the composition of the team is not always dependable if you are playing good," he said.

"Now he is playing as a false right winger and a combination with [Ander] Herrera and [Antonio] Valencia gives him more opportunities so I am very pleased. I am not amazed but I am very happy for him."

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