Wayne Rooney kept up his hot streak by scoring a 78th-minute winner as Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League in a poor-quality game between English football's two most successful clubs on Sunday.

The England striker grabbed his fifth goal in four games in 2016 with United's first shot on target at Anfield, rifling home a volley from close range after Marouane Fellaini's header rebounded off the bar.

Playing without a recognized striker, Liverpool largely dominated the game but only created half-chances. The best fell to Emre Can, who had two shots saved by David de Gea in the second half.

United stayed two points behind fourth-place Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification, and moved up a place to fifth. Liverpool is eight points off Spurs.