For the first time LVG had to play without his high profile strikers. With Rooney and Martial both ruled out of the match, Van Gaal needed another source for the goals. Ironically, it was Memphis, who had a rather slow start to the season, who scored from a delightful ball from Herrera.
This was the ideal opportunity for Memphis to impress his boss and a man of the match display in this game would not have done any harm to his reputation in that regard. Memphis was lively and looked hungry for most of the game and the fact that he stayed for the entire game showed a good sign.
United have the best defensive record in the league and it was always going to be tough for the Hornets to get back in the game. United kept the ball quite well courtesy Schweinsteiger and the vital interceptions of Schneiderlin which gave the defense that much needed protection.
De Gea had very little to do in the first half and it just felt that the philosophy of LVG of keeping possession of the ball was very much the right thing to do in this situation. The only disappointment for LVG in the first half was the injury to Herrera.
After a tepid display in the first half, Watford gave a good account of themselves in the second. There was a five to ten minute period where Watford was on top with Deeney having two of his strikes directly aimed at De Gea.
Ighalo in particular was exceptional in holding up the ball and gave a torrid time to the defenders. The fact that Jones had to be substituted midway through the second half did not make the situation any better. Hence, it was not a surprise that it was Ighalo's hold up that provided Watford with a penalty.
Rojo has been criticized for his slack defending at times and in that case again it was a needless foul that gave away the penalty.It was an emotional game for Deeney ,who had brought his prison mates to see the match in order to show his revival, but he showed no nerves and stuck a cool penalty which gave Watford the well deserved equalizer.
At that moment United were blaming their lost chances, especially the one of Lingard where he missed a one on one opportunity with Gomes just moments ago.
However, it was United that had the last laugh. Gomes made a brilliant save from Smalling. In the resulting corner after some chaos in the box, the ball fell kindly to Schweinsteiger who drilled it across the box. Deeney had his dream turn into a nightmare wherein his desperate save to keep the ball out made him give away an own goal.
It was a vital win for Manchester United who stole a win in the dying minutes of the game. They are currently second in the table only behind Leicester City. At the end of the day, with no disrespect to Leicester, United would be the happiest lot seeing both their major title rivals City and Arsenal succumbing to defeat.
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| Manchester United snatch dramatic win against Watford |
United have the best defensive record in the league and it was always going to be tough for the Hornets to get back in the game. United kept the ball quite well courtesy Schweinsteiger and the vital interceptions of Schneiderlin which gave the defense that much needed protection.
De Gea had very little to do in the first half and it just felt that the philosophy of LVG of keeping possession of the ball was very much the right thing to do in this situation. The only disappointment for LVG in the first half was the injury to Herrera.
After a tepid display in the first half, Watford gave a good account of themselves in the second. There was a five to ten minute period where Watford was on top with Deeney having two of his strikes directly aimed at De Gea.
Ighalo in particular was exceptional in holding up the ball and gave a torrid time to the defenders. The fact that Jones had to be substituted midway through the second half did not make the situation any better. Hence, it was not a surprise that it was Ighalo's hold up that provided Watford with a penalty.
Rojo has been criticized for his slack defending at times and in that case again it was a needless foul that gave away the penalty.It was an emotional game for Deeney ,who had brought his prison mates to see the match in order to show his revival, but he showed no nerves and stuck a cool penalty which gave Watford the well deserved equalizer.
At that moment United were blaming their lost chances, especially the one of Lingard where he missed a one on one opportunity with Gomes just moments ago.
However, it was United that had the last laugh. Gomes made a brilliant save from Smalling. In the resulting corner after some chaos in the box, the ball fell kindly to Schweinsteiger who drilled it across the box. Deeney had his dream turn into a nightmare wherein his desperate save to keep the ball out made him give away an own goal.
It was a vital win for Manchester United who stole a win in the dying minutes of the game. They are currently second in the table only behind Leicester City. At the end of the day, with no disrespect to Leicester, United would be the happiest lot seeing both their major title rivals City and Arsenal succumbing to defeat.
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