Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has revealed that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick encourage the team to "stick the boot in".

On Sunday at Anfield, Louis van Gaal's side put on an impressive first-half display to eventually seal a 2-1 win over 10-man Liverpool after Steven Gerrard was sent off for stamping on Herrera.

The 25-year-old has revealed that he, Juan Mata and goalkeeper David de Gea receive "insults" from Rooney in Spanish to get them in fighting mood for matches.

"I just have to listen to Rooney and Michael Carrick before games," Herrera told El Pais. "When they tell us to stick the boot in and play aggressively it is like taking a master's degree course.

"Rooney leads the way as he is a very open personality, and he insults me, David and Juan in Spanish."

United are fourth in the Premier League table, five points ahead of Liverpool.