It was a spectacular end to a game in which United dominated for long stretches despite being without Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, and losing Ander Herrera to injury in the first half.
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Depay started United’s first eight Premier League games but has not featured in any of the last four since being hauled off at half-time during the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on October 4.
“It’s not so heavy as everybody has written in the media, but he can not play against Watford”, the manager said of Martial.
On 11 minutes, Herrera whipped in a cross from the right and Depay connected with a first-time left-footed volley into the top corner. We have created a lot of chances and we could have finished the game already much earlier when we see the easy chances for Jesse Lingard.
David de Gea made a number of saves to deny Watford in the second half, including a superb reaction stop to keep out Almen Abdi’s deflected effort.
“What they told me is private but we have communicated, of course”, van Gaal said. Lingard had a gilt-edged chance to get United’s second goal with a ball over the top from Blind. He was replaced by Marcos Rojo as United changed to a back five. Forced the late victor, which nearly ended up being his first United goal.
Manchester United grabbed a last-gasp victor to take all three points at Watford with a dramatic 2-1 win.
The Watford striker then accidentally bundled home Bastian Schweinsteiger’s shot in the dying minutes, an own-goal which cost the hosts what would have been a valuable point.
Louis van Gaal admits Memphis Depay has not lived up to expectations since his £25million move to Manchester United.
Smalling has established himself as one of the best performing defenders in the country this campaign but the 25-year-old has fallen foul of his Dutch coach’s absent-mindedness. They can hardly afford any more attacking absentees.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Jamie Vardy tied the Premier League record for scoring in consecutive games to help Leicester climb surprisingly to the top of the standings on Saturday, when English football paid tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.
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Herrera had played 24 minutes – including assisting Memphis Depay’s opening goal for United, on his return to the starting line-up – before pulling up and being left incapacitated on the turf. “It was a little bit hard, but I’m fine”. You always have to believe. I don’t think I have to mention what our discussions were. “We’re happy with the three points”.
