Twitter Reacts as Manchester United Leave It Late to Beat Watford

There were signs that the Manchester United of old were returning on Saturday as a late own goal secured Louis van Gaal's men a dramatic win over Watford.

An injury-hit United side took the field at Vicarage Road bereft of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, meaning a recall for the under-fire Memphis Depay:

"

LVG recalls Memphis Depay to #MUFC starting line-up against Watford. James Wilson not in the 18-man squad 😳 pic.twitter.com/snbCffRsnT

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 21, 2015"

While an unrecognisable bench raised more than a few eyebrows:

"

#MUFC fans looking at the subs bench like… #rashford #goss pic.twitter.com/eL42AIl6vm

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 21, 2015"

"

That's a remarkable bench.

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) November 21, 2015"

"

Wow at that bench https://t.co/HcH9JDaCFF

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) November 21, 2015"

Out on the pitch the two teams (plus one) stood side by side to sing the French national anthem in a laudable show of solidarity following last week's attacks in Paris:

"

The Watford Mascot, a Giant Hornet, paying his respects. pic.twitter.com/tYR47Yk0jJ

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 21, 2015"

With the football underway it was the visitors who struck first, Memphis justifying his selection with a well-taken finish:

"

HE'S ANOTHER NANI THAT LAD

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) November 21, 2015"

"

Yeah my Man i'm happy for you @Memphis Come on @ManUtd

— Anthony Martial (@AnthonyMartial) November 21, 2015"

"

United fans have been chanting 'Ooh Aah Cantona' this afternoon so it is fitting that current No7 puts them 1-0 up @br_uk

— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) November 21, 2015"

After the break United had David De Gea to thank for a number of typically athletic saves:

"

Fair play to De Gea. Spent all afternoon wandering around his box, cold, dreaming of El Clasico (JOKE), then when called on makes great save

— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) November 21, 2015"

"

David De Gea doing the business—again—for #MUFC 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6tXrMD6ldt

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 21, 2015"

Before a rash challenge by Marcos Rojo on Odion Ighalo gave Watford a late opportunity to equalise. Troy Deeney gladly capitalised:

"

GOAL #watfordfc DEENEY!!!!!!!!! (1-1) pic.twitter.com/IyOd4OPDZt

— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) November 21, 2015"

"

GOAL for Watford. Troy Deeney makes no mistake from the spot after Marcos Rojo’s foul in the box. 1-1 pic.twitter.com/H15YATjPyp

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 21, 2015"

But the goalscorer quickly went from hero to zero, as he turned Bastian Schweinsteiger's pull-back into the back of his own net:

"

Oh Watford 🙈

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) November 21, 2015"

Not that United fans were going to complain about the nature of the goal:

"

Goooaaaaaaalllll @ManUtd

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) November 21, 2015"

"

Yesssssssssssss get in!!!!

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 21, 2015"

"

In my head that's a Bastian goal, if u think otherwise i beg you keep it to yourself

— King Musa (@OfficialSkinny1) November 21, 2015"

"

.@AnderHerrera jubilant at @ManUtd's late winner. #WATMUN https://t.co/t6Hl7wIiHW

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) November 21, 2015"

United held on for the remaining few minutes to go top of the Premier League:

"

F/T: Watford 1-2 Man Utd #MUFC go top of the Premier League—LVG will be a very happy man... https://t.co/BQKhOdHZYX

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 21, 2015"

[Twitter]