Manchester United 2 Watford 0: Watch highlights as Anthony Martial puts speculation over his Old Trafford future behind him with a goal and an assist in triumph
The French attacker was the star man for United today, setting up Juan Mata for the first and then scoring a fine solo goal
Juan Mata was in the right place at the right time to fire Manchester United into a first half leadCredit: Reuters
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The Spanish midfielder wheels away after scoring his second in two games, taking off his boot as a celebration as he had only re-fitted it seconds earlierCredit: PA:Press Association
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The Manchester United players then gather around Mata to celebrate going into the lead against WatfordCredit: Getty Images
After setting up Juan Mata for the first, he scored with a fine finish in the second half to seal three points for the Red Devils.
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The only surprise was that it took United just over half an hour to take the lead at Old Trafford.
Heurelho Gomes made a brilliant save on 30 minutes to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he could nothing to prevent Mata scoring following a Martial assist.
The Spaniard then took of his boot and threw it in the air to celebrate - he only just put it back on before scoring after it came off.
Martial then got the goal his energetic performance deserved when he drove into the Watford area after a clever Ibrahimovic threaded ball, and fired past Gomes in the Hornets' goal.
Fact, stats, goals and lols
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri lived in Manchester for four months to get used to England before taking a Premier League job. He wanted to live in a city where he could enjoy a normal life without too many Italians, in his words. Whether living in Manchester helped his English remains to be seen as he still does not speak the language.
The 3-1 win over United in September was a massive result for Watford but a particularly shocking one for Jose Mourinho. Afterwards, he slammed Luke Shaw – albeit unfairly. A few weeks later, Wayne Rooney admitted it was one his worst games for the club. It was difficult to disagree.
The United players gathered around the centre circle thinking there was to be a minute’s silence for the Munich air crash but there had been a communication problem. There wasn’t a minute's silence.
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Anthony Martial capped a fine performance with a special solo goal to put his team 2-0 upCredit: Getty Images
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Martial is congratulated for scoring and giving his team some breathing space at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
Zlatan Ibrahimovic went into the game on 20 goals and had a cracking chance after three minutes for number 21 – but he completely miskicked. Zlatan then skied an even better opportunity in the 26th minute. The Swede looked pretty unimpressed with himself.
Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes looked as though he would take some beating as he saved from Paul Pogba – but United then scored in the 32nd minute. Juan Mata, who started the move with a brilliant flick, scored from close range but only after Ibra dummied a cross from Anthony Martial. Mata’s boot came off and then he threw it into the air.
Mazzarri delivered a major half-time reshuffle. He brought on Daryl Janmaat for Miguel Britos but that was only half of it. Janmaat moved into midfield, Jose Holebas dropped into Britos’ left-back spot while in midfield, M’Baye Niang and Mauro Zarate changed positions.
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David de Gea was called into action a few times, but managed to keep a clean sheet todayCredit: Reuters
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Paul Pogba had a dominant game in central midfield, both in defence and attackCredit: PA:Press Association
The crowd start singing the name of David de Gea and little wonder. He saved his team with a brilliant right-handed stop to keep out a free-kick from Zarate.
As ever, though, the Old Trafford crowd was generally quiet The away fans sang: ‘we forget you were here.”
The place livened up on the hour, though. Ander Herrera won the ball in midfield and fine flick from Ibrahimivic released Martial who moved menacingly towards the near post and then spotted a gap and scores past Gomes.
It should definitely have been 2-1. Janmaat, looking lively as a sub, somehow blazed over the bar for Watford.
The impressive Martial was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Marcus Rashford in the 81st minute.
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Troy Deeney toiled hard up front for most of the game, but could find no way through United's defenceCredit: Getty Images
Big Picture
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Next five fixtures
Manchester United
Europa League Round of 32 - Saint-Étienne (H), Thu 16 Feb
FA Cup Fifth Round - Blackburn Rovers (A), Sun 19 Feb
Europa League Round of 32 - Saint-Étienne (A), Wed 22 Feb
EFL Cup Final - Southampton, Sun 26 Feb
Premier League - Bournemouth (H), Sat 4 Mar
Watford
Premier League - West Ham United (H), Sat 25 Feb
Premier League - Southampton (H), Sat 4 Mar
Premier League - Chelsea (A), Mon 13 Mar
Premier League - Crystal Palace (A), Sat 18 Mar
Premier League - Sunderland (H), Sat 1 Apr
Manchester United goalscorer Juan Mata: "When you play good football and get the three points it is a step forward but we need to keep going. It was a convincing performance and we are very happy today.
"It started to feel like it was one of those games again. Their keeper saved every chance but then the goal came and after that it was more comfortable for us. We are going in the right direction.
"It is very, very difficult. First of all is to get into the top four. We have been winning games but not going higher in the table. We want to go higher and higher. We never know where we will finish."
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not have scored today, but he assisted for Martial's goal that sealed the three pointsCredit: Getty Images
Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes: "We didn't show up in the first half. Second half was much better, we competed with them but by then it was too late.
"We are disappointed but when we lose we lose together.
"We are still looking up the table because we have quality. When we show up we show we compete with anyone."
