Van Gaal confident Manchester United will progress in Champions League

Manchester United will be without skipper Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Anthony Martial for their visit to Watford on Saturday when the Premier League resumes after the worldwide break.

PSV have never scored more than two goals in their last 30 Champions League games.

The brief spell of free-flowing attacking football saw United get their reward. Seconds after smashing home his side’s equaliser with a magnificently uncomplicated penalty, Deeney became the holder of the unwanted record of the shortest time between scoring for your own team and the opposition in Premier League history.

He took it well. “We will have to be very careful with them”. And of course, it was the goal that was his most telling statistical contribution.

Their squad is stretched and Van Gaal is still searching for the right balance, but Chelsea’s struggles and the inconsistencies of Arsenal and Manchester City have made this an open title race.

But the United boss then added: “I was convinced Shaw would have a very good season”. “I know some people think our positional game is boring but I think it is a way to disorganise the opponent’s organisation”.

That Memphis’ performance was well-timed from a United perspective is evident.

Watford top scorer Ighalo tried to respond when he twisted and turned impressively before slicing off target after Ashley Young had been robbed by Etienne Capoue, who set up the opportunity.

The first was his quality.

Fans held up French flags and scarves as “La Marseillaise” was played.

The second, though, was his character-his ability to deliver under pressure. Smalling has really come to the fore in the past 12 months after looking like his United days were numbered in 2014.

Vardy has now scored 13 league goals so far this season.

What happens from here on out will be fascinating to see.

“I remember, a few weeks ago, we were five points behind and now we are at the top, which is very important”, said Schweinsteiger.

There are only four spots available for Rooney, Martial, Memphis, Lingard and Juan Mata to compete for.

“Ronaldo plays on the wings and he is fast and scores goals; there is no trainer in the world that doesn’t like him”, van Gaal said in reference to a recent comment suggesting that his current wingers are too slow.

Here are United’s player ratings for the game…

Van Gaal’s side have been criticised for their conservative style of play under the Dutchman this season, but their latest defensive display paid dividends at Vicarage Road.