1 Watford
2 Manchester United
by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
at Vicarage Road

LOUIS VAN GAAL expressed his delight with the Manchester United squad after they recovered from a late setback to record a hard-fought win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils were on course for a 1-1 draw following Troy Deeney’s 86th minute equaliser from the penalty spot — however his inadvertent own goal moments later handed the visitors all three points, leaving the United manager pleased with the character shown from his players.

“I was amazed at the spirit in our team. We had the late penalty [against us] but, as a team, we created another three possibilities in five minutes after that,” Van Gaal told the media.

“When you can do that as a team, then I am very proud of that team.”

The United boss also reserved special praise for Jesse Lingard and in particular Memphis Depay, who had broken the deadlock in the 11th minute with a sweetly struck volley to register his second Premier League goal since arriving in the summer.

“In the first half, Memphis was superb. I think also this role for Memphis is the best one for him.”

“Jesse also was fantastic and we have created a lot of chances thanks to those two,” van Gaal added.

After being outplayed in the first half, the home side improved significantly after the break and came close to an equaliser in the 70th minute but Almen Abdi was denied by a brilliant fingertip save from David De Gea.

When Marcos Rojo conceded a penalty for a foul on Odion Ighalo, Deeney confidently dispatched the spot-kick which looked to have rescued a point for the home side until Bastian Schweinsteiger’s cross-cum-shot deflected in off the Hornets skipper.

Despite seeing his striker going from hero to villain in the space of three minutes, manager Quique Sanchez Flores refused to lay any blame at the feet of the 27-year-old.

“He’s unlucky that the ball crossed behind all the lines to the second post, we must focus and concentrate on the situation, but it was unlucky.”