Van Gaal has been satisfied with Depay’s efforts in training but said his selection for United’s trip to Vicarage Road will be based on current form.
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted Memphis Depay has not lived up to expectation since joining the Premier League giant.
Anthony Martial will not play for United at Watford on Saturday because of a foot injury sustained in France’s 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Ander Herrera’s clipped, bending cross reached Depay and he punished Watford’s woeful marking by cushioning a firm volley past the helpless Heurelho Gomes for his first goal since the win over Sunderland on Sept 26.
Asked about the Netherlands international’s contribution, Van Gaal said to BT Sport: “The first half he was superb, like Jesse Lingard”. Herrera, Schneiderlin, Depay and Jones are included in for Rojo, Carrick, Martial and Rooney.
Despite the plethora of changes, United started the match with a confidence and intensity that Watford found hard to contend with.
The half ended with little more action as United controlled a tame Hornets.
Watford’s only clear-cut chance to equalise came nine minutes later, when Ashley Young gifted his former club the ball deep in his own half.
Lingard will have perhaps felt the impact more than anyone bar Rojo, having lobbed straight into the hands of Gomes only moments earlier. Their defensive record is strong, so they have the ability to frustrate opponents who have been somewhat goal-shy of late, but in Deeney and Odion Ighalo they also have a strike partnership which has as good an understanding as any in the top-flight.
United were lacking the pace earlier in the season, however, since Lingard has been playing, his pace and running in behind the defenders have certainly been welcoming.
Flores refused to blame Deeney for the visitors’ winning goal and insisted the forward’s attempt to block Schweinsteiger’s effort highlighted his work-rate throughout the match. Deeney stepped up and fired home from the spot.
United dominated midfield, where the impressive duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger played with absolute focus.
Memphis Depay is therefore expected to earn a recall and play against 11th-placed Watford in the central position he has occupied before at PSV Eindhoven. However, Lingard’s shot in stoppage time was parried towards Schweinsteiger and from an acute angle he knocked the ball back towards goal which Deeney then inadvertently directed into his own net.
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Ighalo nearly grabbed an injury-time equaliser, but De Gea was again there to keep the Nigerian at bay.
