COMMENT: Louis van Gaal's side

COMMENT: Louis van Gaal's side ruthlessly took the visitors apart at Old Trafford, setting them up perfectly for next week's crucial clash with Liverpool
By Paul Macdonald at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal has claimed that finishing in the top four in the Premier League will be "like a title" to his Manchester United side. After clinically dispatching a submissive Tottenham team 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, his players have shown they are ready for that particular challenge at the end of a difficult week. 

Given the criticism that Van Gaal's side have faced in the wake of the defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup last Monday, the Dutchman and indeed his supporters needed something to cling on to – something to indicate that, while being a team in transition, United are on an upward trajectory. They in turn produced a result and, to a degree, a performance that will renew confidence that a Champions League berth is theirs to claim.

Wayne Rooney in particular was at the forefront of United's positivity: his energy and industry was evident as he led from the front and ensured that Spurs remained trapped in their own territory for much of the opening 45 minutes. He rounded off the win before half-time and if there was ever any doubt where his best position lies, surely his finishes in the last three home games end the argument.

The intensity from their captain proved contagious. Once Marouane Fellaini had drilled home the opening goal after 10 minutes, a team that had previously been bereft of confidence had renewed vigour and desire. 

Another seasoned member of the side, Michael Carrick, also made a significant difference. His well-placed header made it 2-0 and there's no denying that United are far better when he is the metronome in the centre rather than Daley Blind. 

Furthermore, his link-up and understanding with Ander Herrera and Juan Mata provided the kind of polish United haven't come close to showcasing since the turn of the year. Ashley Young and Chris Smalling also featured with distinction but Mata, enjoying a rare start of late because of Angel Di Maria's suspension, gave United clear balance, drifting into the centre from a wide position. 

It was no coincidence that upon being replaced he was given a rousing reception from every corner of the ground. It's not that the fans believe he is superior to Di Maria, but rather they are questioning why Van Gaal chooses not to accommodate both of them in the same XI. It seems clear, however, that Mata is too accomplished a player to be considered an alternate. 

All that being said it's difficult to overestimate just how poor Tottenham were. With the top four a real possibility, to be so insipid, so lifeless that United at times couldn't believe the opportunities being handed to them, is thoroughly inexcusable. Not many teams have made United look like a swashbuckling exhibition outfit this season but Spurs allowed them all the space in the world to do as they wished. 

A sensible approach from the visitors would have been to play astutely in the opening spell and create an ambience of nervousness among the crowd. Instead they unceremoniously capitulated.

Rooney's third was Spurs in microcosm; a criminally lazy sideways pass from Nabil Bentaleb landed straight at the striker's feet, yet despite having four opposition defenders between him and the goal he managed to wriggle through the minimal resistance and slot past the helpless Lloris. 

He celebrated by shadow boxing for the crowd and falling to the ground – a cheeky reference to the video of him seeming to fight playfully with former team-mate Phil Bardsley – but it was Spurs who at that point were completely punch-drunk. 

Van Gaal and United won't care; Anfield is on the horizon and a season-defining game against their one legitimate top-four rival that remains. And they can travel to Liverpool with belief rather than trepidation.