Juan Mata’s moment of magic helped Manchester United clinch an all-important three points against Watford. The diminutive Spaniard scored the only goal of the match from a brilliant free-kick in the 83rd minute of the match to squash Watford’s hopes of taking a point home from Old Trafford.
Here are the player ratings of the match:
Manchester United
David De Gea – (7.5/10)
The Spanish goalkeeper was forced into making a number of crucial saves. He denied Odion Ighalo from the close range on a couple of occasions.
Guillermo Varela – (7.5/10)
The Uruguayan fullback grew with the progression of the match, he posed a bigger attacking threat to Watford in the second half and he fulfilled his defensive duties as well. His work-rate was also second to none.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah – (6.5/10)
The versatile player was deployed at the centre back position by Louis van Gaal. He was a bit jittery on the ball early on but did well to keep his composure throughout the match after picking an early booking.
Daley Blind – (4/10)
Blind had a below-par outing. He played two to three bad passes in Ighalo’s path and looked completely clueless at the back of defence.
Marcus Rojo – (6.5/10)
Rojo fulfilled his attacking duties as he went up the field regularly to provide Memphis with some support on the left flank. However, he was guilty of making some defensive errors as well.
Morgan Schneiderlin – (6.5/10)
The Frenchman had an average outing. He held his position in the centre of the midfield and made some good interceptions. However, he was not able to curb down Watford counter attacks.
Ander Herrera – (7.5/10)
Herrera has given United an extra attacking edge since he has become a regular in the midfield for them. He also linked up well with Mata upfront, as has been the case in last few matches.
Anthony Martial – (6.5/10)
Martial posted some early threat to Watford defence when playing wide right. He also earned the free-kick which led to United’s only goal of the match.
Juan Mata – (9/10)
Mata was at his brilliant best. The Spaniard was made the captain of the team in the absence of big names and he did not disappoint. He was ever-present in the midfield and was full of running. Before scoring a glorious goal from free-kick, Mata attempted a couple of long-range shots as well which troubled Gomes.
Memphis Depay - (6/10)
Memphis was guilty of some poor finishing and lack of passes in the match. He was also not able to trouble Nyom as much as he has been troubling fullbacks in the last couple of matches.
Marcus Rashford – (7/10)
The youngster impressed yet again. He was not up to the mark in first half, but as always he held the ball well. He stepped up the ante in the second half after being deployed out wide on the right by Van Gaal. His darting runs from the flank caused a lot of trouble for Watford defence late on.
Substitutes:
Matteo Darmian – (6/10)
Darmian was brought on for Rojo in the 70th minute. He looked composed on the ball after returning from an injury layoff.
Jesse Lingard – (N/A)
Lingard was brought on for Herrera in the 77th minute.
Patrick McNair – (N/A)
McNair was brought on for Mata in the 89th minute.
Watford
Heurelho Gomes – (6/10)
Gomes did not have much to do for majority of the match. However, late in the second half, he was forced into a good save by Mata before the United midfielder scored a brilliant free-kick past him.
Nyom – (7.5/10)
Nyom was probably Watford’s best player on the pitch. He caused a lot of troubles for Memphis and did not allow him to have a good match.
Miguel Britos – (6.5/10)
The centreback had an average outing. He was guilty of the foul on Martial which led to the goal from free-kick by Mata.
Sebastian Prodl – (6/10)
Prodl missed a glorious chance in the second half to put his team ahead when his header went just wide of the post. His defensive work was mot up to the mark.
Jose Holebas – (6/10)
Holebas was involved a lot in the match and saw a lot of ball, however, earlier in the match Martial troubled him and later on he was not able to handle Rashford properly.
Valon Behrami – (6.5/10)
Behrami linked well with Capoue on some occasions and also did well tracking back to help his defence.
Etienne Capoue – (7.5/10)
Capoue posed a lot of threat to the United defence. He was a constant presence on the left flank and did his defensive duties to some extent as well.
Ben Watson – (6.5/10)
Watson was good with his set-piece deliveries which troubled the United defence.
Almen Abdi – (6/10)
Abdi was forced to trackback and help Nyom in the match. However, his performance was up to the mark as he was taken off for Mario Suarez in the 70th minute.
Troy Deeney – (7/10)
Deeney created a lot of trouble to United defence, however, there was of lack of support from Ighalo which meant that Watford failed to score a goal.
Odion Ighalo – (4.5/10)
Ighalo got great goal scoring opportunities but floundered each one of them. He was later taken off for Amrabat in the 75th minute.
Substitutes:
Mario Suarez – (5/10)
Suarez came on for Abdi in the 70th minute but was not able to change the fate of the match.
Nordin Amrabat – (4/10)
Amrabat came on for Ighalo in the 75th minute but other than picking up a yellow card, he did not do much.
Ikechi Anya – (N/A)
Anya came on for Behrami in the 86th minute.
