Watford 1-2 Man United: Depay-back time

The win means United are now unbeaten in eight in all competitions.

“Of course we are fighting for the first position in the Premier League”, he said.

But with Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and makeshift striker Marouane Fellaini all injured or ill and youngster James Wilson not match fit, Van Gaal played Depay through the middle. Interestingly he also had two academy players in Sean Goss and Marcus Rashford who made the bench.

Memphis Depay put United in front after 11 minutes, but Watford responded strongly after the break and enjoyed plenty of pressure. He found space in the Watford penalty area and hammered the ball at goal, but sent the shot just over the bar from close range.

Deeney was then unable to direct his shot away from De Gea after Ighalo had a made a nuisance in the area, with Quique Sanchez Flores’s side taking a more direct approach. Lingard shoots, Gomes palms it out.

But United recovered instantly and Bastian Schweinsteiger forced Deeney to bundle a clearance home in added on time for United’s victor.

Asked about the performance of Memphis, Van Gaal replied, as quoted by Fourfourtwo: “The first half he was superb, like Jesse Lingard”.

Shaw’s broken leg certainly complicates United’s defensive scheme as he was expected to be the team’s first choice and as a result, The Red Devils have been linked with several players who could potentially take the 20-year-old’s place in the starting XI.

87′ – GOAL! Watford 1-1 Manchester United.

Ander Herrera and Phil Jones joined the walking wounded after they both came off with injuries during the last-gasp victory at Vicarage Road, the Manchester Evening News report. They can hardly afford any more attacking absentees.

Manchester United captured three points against Watford despite missing key players through injury and conceding late in the match. “It’s been a long time coming for him, and he’s deserved it”.

“I think, the whole season, we have had a good spirit. It was a little bit hard, but I’m fine”. In football you always have to believe.

“It is very important to win, but it is not easy because every game you have to play you can not say we will beat them. Next match we play Leicester. That’s hard, but if we win that too then we are happy in the Premier League”. “We were very good in other games – so good that it was boring”.

“But also Jesse was fantastic – because of those two we created a lot of chances”.