It had looked like United would be brought down to earth with a bump against Quique Sanchez Flores’ impressive Watford outfit, only for captain Mata’s free-kick to secure United a 1-0 win. Maybe you remember that?
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Manuel Pellegrini’s side have a game in hand but the midweek slip-ups by those sat in the Champions League places has led confidence to build at Old Trafford.
His Premier League debut goals mean that he is the third youngest goalscorer for Manchester United.
Manchester United are now 5th in the league, three points behind cross-city rivals Manchester City and 12 points behind leaders Leicester City, with 11 games still to be played this season.
Varela has featured in United’s last four games – against Shrewsbury, FC Midtylland, Arsenal and Watford – and has been on the winning side in all four games.
With the league being wide open and the young team hitting form at the right time, Van Gaal’s men (or boys) should definitely fancy their chances of getting Champions League or even more depending how the next few games plan out.
“You see how [Marcos] Rojo is struggling”.
He said: “I was a little bit emotional, too much I think”. United may have a chance to go level with Manchester City if the red devils win here and if Manchester City lose at Anfield also on Wednesday night. Hodgson would run the risk of alienating some of his players who might feel – fairly – that they warrant selection ahead of Rashford.
At 3/5 and with so many injuries I personally think Manchester United are too short here, Watford have proven time and again this season to be very tough to beat and I am convinced that they can cause real problems for United’s back four.
In addition, it can not be overlooked that Van Gaal’s team have only won five of their last 15 league fixtures and have lost at home against Norwich, Middlesbrough and Southampton this season, especially when Watford have already managed more points away from home (18) in 2015/16 than in their two previous EPL campaigns put together (15). “He’s not thinking of himself, he’s hoping they are going to be in a better position when he leaves”.
Van Gaal admitted that he was considering taking Mata off before he scored his goal – but opted against it and was rewarded by the Spaniard.
“I am very happy for the players because they have fought until the end, and they knew out on the pitch that our competitors were losing”, van Gaal said after the game.
“Age is not important, I have said that”.
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“There has been so much that has gone on since Louis van Gaal has taken over, there has been a lot of rumblings amongst the players and the fans”.
