Manchester United will be without skipper Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Anthony Martial for their visit to Watford on Saturday when the Premier League resumes after the worldwide break. But the Nigerian took too much time and fired wide.
Advertisement
Manager Louis van Gaal confirmed their absences at his pre-match briefing on Friday, saying that 19-year-old James Wilson, who has only played for eight minutes in the league this season, would lead the front line.
When asked for an update on how long the left-back would be sidelined, Van Gaal said: “I can not answer because you have to be very cautious with an injury like that”.
United’s injury list has continued to grow, with Phil Jones and Ander Herrera likely unavailable for Wednesday’s match.
Jones had a twisted ankle and Herrera a hamstring injury.
“It is great. All I ever wanted to do was play for Man United and I’m doing that now”. He is at home.
“[Roy Hodgson] said I was there on merit having done well for Manchester United and hopefully I can be there again”.
United’s shortage of forward options offered an opportunity for Depay against Watford, who made his first league start since the 3-0 loss to Arsenal on October 4.
Louis van Gaal believes the tackle that broke Luke Shaw’s leg in two places was “reckless”, but says Hector Moreno was trying to win the ball.
Watford struggled to get out of their own half but United almost gifted them a way back in with former Vicarage Road favourite Ashley Young, who had been given a good reception before kick-off, losing the ball to Etienne Capoue who in turn fed Ighalo. Depay finished it very well. I think also the first half he played a very good game.
“I’ve worked hard to get in this team and it is paying off”. “They always support the team, so I don’t know about Moreno”. The first impression is not that they are heavy injuries but we have to play already on Wednesday and that is the problem. “We just needed to plug on for five minutes”.
Advertisement
“He played in the same position for me (for the Netherlands) in the World Cup when Arjen Robben or Robin van Persie was injured, and I knew he could do this, but Jesse Lingard was also fantastic and those two created a lot of chances”.
