Sunday 27 September 2015 14:16, UK
Louis van Gaal praised Anthony Martial's all-round contribution after Manchester United went top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Sunderland.
Martial was starting his first league match at Old Trafford and, despite not getting on the scoresheet, made a telling contribution by setting up Wayne Rooney for United's second and causing problems for the Black Cats all game.
Memphis Depay had opened the scoring before Rooney ended his goal drought just after the interval, with Juan Mata making sure of the points in stoppage-time to seal a comfortable win.
Van Gaal was delighted with teenager Martial's performance, and insisted he brings much more to the side than goals.
"He (Martial) was one of the main reasons why we won the match today," Van Gaal said. He is not only a goalscorer, but he is also an attacking point and he can prepare goals.
"I am very happy with him."
United leapfrogged their bitter rivals City after Manuel Pellegrini's men slipped to a surprise 4-1 defeat at Tottenham.
And Van Gaal admitted his players were fully aware pre-match that victory at Old Trafford would move them to the summit of the Premier League, and praised them for getting the job done.
"It is not so easy to go top of the league, under pressure," Van Gaal added. I have to praise my players for beating Sunderland. You have to go and do it.
"We scored beautiful goals again, we have the best goal difference, so I am a very happy coach.
"I could rotate again, we are top of the league, very happy.
"We played much better against Southampton, but you have to control the game with ball possession, and we did that.
"You cannot avoid it [City result] with iPhones, iPads and the televisions in the dressing room.
"It is against the culture of England to not look for other results. I have to adapt to that."
On his side's title chances, Van Gaal added: "I think to continue [at the top] is very difficult in this league. But it is better than last year when we had 13 points after 10 matches and you have to chase. When we chased we were fourth.
"Last year we had the feeling we could win the league. This year it is a big difference because you can start better from the top than the bottom."
