The Spaniard turned in a performance of the highest quality
against the Reds at Old Trafford and believes Louis van Gaal's
side can maintain their recent run of good form
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea believes the club
can mount a serious title challenge after Sunday's 3-0 win
over Liverpool.
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie
secured triumph for Louis van Gaal's side but it could have
been a different story without De Gea's heroics at the other
end.
Three fine stops from Raheem Sterling extended the England
forward's scoreless run for club and country to 21 matches,
and De Gea also displayed razor-sharp reactions to twice
deny half-time substitute Mario Balotelli.
A sixth straight league win leaves them third in the table, five
points behind neighbours Manchester City and a further three
shy of leaders Chelsea, and De Gea has called on his team-
mates to now maintain their current form.
"We have to go step by step, game by game," De Gea told
Sky Sports .
"We want to be in first position but we need to keep training
hard and playing like this.
"I'm really happy with the three points against Liverpool, of
course. We played a very good game, we scored three goals
and that's fantastic.
"In the first half I saved two against Sterling and in the second
half Balotelli. We scored three goals and it is unbelievable."
Van Persie led the plaudits for De Gea and also paid tribute to
United's defensive unit, where midfielder Michael Carrick was
a reassuring presence in the middle of a back three.
"I think overall we played a good game and David was
outstanding again," he added.
"He was absolutely brilliant, like he always is.
"In those games it is always important to score first. It gives
you an extra bit of calmness and I think, although at times we
were a bit sloppy, overall we kept the ball well.
"Carrick made a big difference at the back. He is so comfy on
the ball. "[Phil] Jones, Jonny [Evans] - all the back four, five
played really well. They were very calm."