Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick was delighted with the manner of their victory over Tottenham.

United were ruthless in their demolition of Spurs, with Carrick - who made their first and scored the second - hailing it as their finest display since Van Gaal took charge last summer.

"I think it has to be our best performance of the season given the importance of the game," said Carrick.

"After the first few minutes, when we made a couple of little mistakes, I thought we controlled the game well and looked a real threat going forward.

"In the second-half, when you're up like that, you go out of the dressing-room trying to replicate exactly what you've done in the first-half, but sometimes it doesn't always pan out like that.

"In some ways we were a bit disappointed with the second-half, but I still think we were comfortable in the game.

"Obviously, before the game we didn't think it was going to be that easy, so we're over the moon with the result.

"It sets us up for another big game at Anfield on Sunday. Every game is important now."