LVG for the WIN

A late free-kick from Juan Mata gave Manchester United an important victory over Watford in their latest home game. The midfielder - named captain ahead of the game in the absence of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, and Chris Smalling - stepped up to curl home a delightful effort on 83 minutes to settle a hard-fought contest at Old Trafford. Anthony Martial was named in a youthful starting line-up after recovering from a recent hamstring injury, while in-form striker Marcus Rashford retained his place up front. 21-year-old midfielder Joe Rothwell was named among the substitutes, the latest on a long list of youngsters to appear in a first-team squad this season. Louis van Gaal’s men went into the clash on the back of a confidence-boosting victory over Arsenal, but it was the visitors who started on the front foot, looking early to Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo. It was United, though, who almost took the lead on seven minutes, as Daley Blind’s cross was sliced towards his own goal by Jose Holebas, but Heurelho Gomes was alert to the danger. The Reds also might have scored when Ander Herrera’s deep cross reached an unmarked Martial at the far post, but the Frenchman couldn’t direct his header on target. But that doesn't matter - what matters is the win.