Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes his team's 3-1 home victory over archrival Liverpool on Saturday signals the end of early-season difficulties.

United endured a rocky start to the campaign, struggling for goals and facing criticism over its transfer dealings, and went into the international break on the heels of a 2-1 loss to Swansea City.

But the win over Liverpool blew off the cobwebs, with David de Gea back in goal following the collapse of his proposed move to Real Madrid and Anthony Martial scoring in his debut following his $55.1 million transfer from Monaco.