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).
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Fosu-Mensah is another youngster that is benefitting from all of the injuries that van Gaal is having to deal with, but the youngster is a player who has been mentioned to come into the first team for a while.
Herrera was not at his most effective on Wednesday, although few United players reached anywhere near their best against an impressive Watford side.
The Spaniard’s heroics did not go over the heads of Twitter-using United fans, who took a moment to praise the 25-year-old.
“It became a physical game and, when you see the size of our opponents compared to us, it’s very hard for us”.
“(Marouane) Fellaini and (Antonio) Valencia are the first ones to come back, I think, except of course Martial, Smalling and Darmian”, the Dutchman said.
Sky Sports pundit Merson believes the criticism of Van Gaal has been harsh, particularly in light of his youth policy compared with other league managers.
“We show when we don’t play good we can win”.
Anthony Martial’s hamstring complaint ahead of the Europa League tie with FC Midtjylland saw Rashford thrown in a the deep end – an opportunity the striker capitalised on in style, netting twice as United won the do-or-die last-32 second leg 5-1.
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.
Odion Ighalo wasted three great chances in the first half and Quique Sanchez Flores will be wondering how his side left with nothing.
Juan Mata claims Manchester United must capitalise on their rivals’ stumbles to grab a Champions League place.
“We were not so good with the ball in the beginning of the match and we gave them some chances, but if we want to fight for everything, including the race for the top four, then we need to win these kind of games”, continued the midfielder.
Watford’s Nigerian striker headed into the clash with just one Premier League goal to his name in 2016, yet he will feel that he should have added to that tally with four presentable openings.
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“I think he’s a very modest guy so I don’t think that will be a problem”. Flores described De Gea as “an incredible player and an incredible man” and was seen embracing the Spanish goalkeeper at half-time.
