Last-gasp win sends out a statement – Lingard

Mata wrote in his blog: “We could make an important step to finish first of our group in the Champions League, and we could climb to the top of the Premiership”.

On the substitutes’ bench, Van Gall names two academy players who could be handed their senior debuts as both midfielder Sean Goss and forward Marcus Rashford are included.

It’s been a rough go on the injury front for United lately; giving Van Gaal some selection issues.

Odion Ighlo’s close range effort was blocked by Schneiderlin as Watford kept looking for the equaliser. “The angle was not so easy but of course Deeney did touch the ball”.

Memphis was hauled off at half-time in a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and has since lost his place to rising young England star Jesse Lingard.

Deeney drove another powerful strike straight down the throat of De Gea, while Lingard failed to chip Gomes with a late opportunity.

“We created three chances in a row”.

PSV have been the only side to beat United in the Champions League this season, and when the two sides played one another in the Netherlands, it was Hector Moreno’s ridiculous tackle which broke Luke Shaw’s leg. They can hardly afford any more attacking absentees. This has allowed United move up the table as they sit second in the table with 27 points after 13 matches, trailing league leaders Leicester City by a point.

Shaw’s recovery is going to plan according to the United manager, but he isn’t expecting him to be back in contention for a first-team return any time soon, which may prompt him to look elsewhere for another option.

Van Gaal, however, was still not fully impressed by his team’s offensive play and believes they should be more clinical when they are in possession of the ball. “It was a little bit hard, but I’m fine”. But to get three points out of it was good.

The Dutchman was supported well by Jesse Lingard – and Van Gaal reserved praise for the pair after the game.

“Wilson did not play for six weeks, so you can not play in the Premier League without match rhythm; you have seen with Memphis that in the second half he was less [effective]”.