Watch Manchester United 3-0 Hull City Match Highlights [VIDEO]

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reflected on the most satisfactory performance of his Old Trafford reign after a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Hull.

United completely outplayed the visiting Tigers as they eased to three Barclays Premier League points with goals from Chris Smalling, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

The result means United have won three in succession in the league for the first time since Van Gaal took charge in the summer.

The Dutchman said: "It is the first match that we have dominated the game from the first minute until the last minute and in a way that I like.

"We knew already in advance that Hull would come probably with five defenders and a full midfield. We have trained to play the ball quick and we did it but also we didn't give too many unnecessary balls away.

"So that was also an improvement on the Arsenal match. I was very pleased with the performance and the result and I have told the players that.

"We had great creative moments in the game and the creation of the chances."

The downside for United was a hamstring injury to record signing Angel di Maria early in the game. The Argentinian was forced to limp off and, although he will now be assessed, Van Gaal has already ruled him out of Tuesday's clash with Stoke.

Van Gaal said: "I think Di Maria was hamstring. He knows his own body very well because at once he said he had to come off, so maybe it is not too bad.

"It is always difficult to say. We will have to wait and see. He shall be out for the match against Stoke for sure."

Captain Rooney was also limping at the final whistle after banging his knee, but Van Gaal did not believe that problem was serious. Rooney was also kicked in the first half but quickly ran off that knock.

Van Gaal said: "He had a kick on his calf I believe. He then had a kick on his knee but it was not too serious because he said he will play."

Van Gaal was also pleased to see his countryman Van Persie back on the scoresheet after a week of heavy criticism following his lacklustre display at Arsenal.

Van Gaal said: "Every striker needs a goal. When you haven't scored in the last two or three matches you need a goal.

"I am very pleased and happy for him that he scored but I am sure he can play better than he did today."

Hull boss Steve Bruce, the former United defender, could not deny how one-sided the contest had been. His side have now lost four in succession and gone six games without a win.

"It was a very difficult afternoon for us, there is no mistaking that," Bruce said.

"The disappointing thing for me is the mistakes. I know Manchester United were good on the day, but when you come here you cannot make the mistakes, in the Premier League, that we made today. It was a difficult enough afternoon for us but the way we gifted goals to them – you can't do that when coming to a place like this.

"Second half we were slightly better, we had one or two opportunities. But we get ourselves sort of back in the game and unfortunately we give them another goal, which kills the whole thing for us.

"To say it was a difficult afternoon was an understatement."

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