article_snippet: Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring United's final goal in their 3-0 win against Tottenham last weekend .
article_snippet: After all, three defeats in 24 games would be satisfactory for most clubs.
article_snippet: And last week's 3-0 win against Tottenham was a possibly the first sign that a new successful United team could emerge in the post-Ferguson era.
article_snippet: Perhaps their 3-0 win over Tottenham last weekend could be viewed as the Manchester United players own vote of confidence in their manager.
article_snippet: And not before time: Sunday's clash with Liverpool could be defining for judging Louis van Gaal's first season a success or failure.
article_snippet: It is crude and unsatisfactory measure of Louis van Gaal first season
article_snippet: Last Sunday's victory was welcome, but was notable for being one of the few outstanding performances this season.
article_snippet: The defeats at Swansea and to Arsenal in the FA Cup are still fresh in the mind.
article_snippet: United's players still talk with wide-eyed astonishment about the day