'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
1. David de Gea:
Over the past few years, United have been fortunate enough to maintain and secure the services of David de Gea, who has innumerably saved his side from the blushes constantly. United’s meek backline was guarded well by the Spaniard who walked away with the ‘Golden Glove’ last season.
Though he has maintained only one clean sheet in the opening five games of the season, de Gea again demonstrated why he has been regarded as United’s best signing in the past decade or so.
De Gea was left undisturbed in the first half, but he maintained a good control over his box in the second half as Watford grew into the game. He was alert and looked ready to thwart any sort of danger coming near his way.
Deeney’s first-half effort was saved well by him, whilst Abdoulaye Doucoure’s ferocious left-footed shot was yet again collected with composure from De Gea. Most importantly, as Nemanja Matic was sent off in the final minute due to a rather rash challenge on Hughes.
A lateral free-kick directed into the box was headed with precision and power by Christian Kabasele, only to be extraordinarily denied by de Gea.
The 27-year-old dived and pushed the ball behind the posts with a firm hand. Moreover, it was the angle and incision with which Kabasele’s headed effort was directed that made de Gea’s save even more commendable.
United’s number 1 has constantly pulled off such physics-defying stops, and tonight’s performance was yet another reason why he is arguably the best goalkeeper in European football currently.
