Manchester United vs. Watford: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester United earned their third win at home in a week as they downed Watford 1-0 in a Premier League clash on Wednesday night.
Juan Mata scored the lone strike of the match from a free-kick in the 83rd minute. Anthony Martial earned the free-kick after he was fouled by Miguel Britos.
The final result certainly isn't indicative of how the match played out at Old Trafford. Watford enjoyed a good amount of possession and created plenty of chances, but the Hornets could not finish.
The victory boosted United up to 47 points and moved them level on points with fourth-place Manchester City in the race for the top four. Watford remained in 12th place with their road defeat.
Here's a look at our winners and losers from United's win over Watford.
Winner: Juan Mata
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Juan Mata stepped into the role of hero on Wednesday night at Old Trafford as he delivered the game-winner in the 83rd minute.
The Spaniard, who was close to being taken off the pitch earlier in the second half due to a knock, sent a free-kick from just outside the box into the left side of the net. The goal came just a few minutes after Watford missed a pair of key chances in front of the United net.
Mata was also one of the catalysts during United's surge in pressure in the middle of the second half. The steady production of chances may not have put the hosts ahead at that point in the match, but it handed them a much-needed confidence boost against a Watford side that was not afraid to dictate the game with their own pressure.
The late strike in the second half put the Red Devils level on points with rival Manchester City in the race for fourth in the Premier League. City are ahead on goal difference, but United have plenty of momentum behind them at the moment.
Loser: Odion Ighalo
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Odion Ighalo had plenty of chances to put Watford ahead in the first half, but he wasted every single opportunity that was presented to him.
Ighalo showed plenty of positive signs in the early stages of the contest, but he could not capitalize on his chances as the Hornets exposed some weaknesses in the United back four.
The Nigerian forward came close to scoring in the 27th minute as he rounded Marcos Rojo in the middle of the box, but his effort went wide to the left of the net.
Ighalo also displayed a selfish attitude that cost him on a few moves where Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi were open in the penalty area.
The poor finishing from Ighalo came back to haunt Watford in the 83rd minute when Mata delivered his free-kick into the back of the net.
Winner: Marcus Rashford
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Marcus Rashford may not have added to his remarkable scoring record in his short time as a first-teamer, but he did make a few plays elsewhere on the pitch to help United come away with three points.
In the 51st minute, the United youngster headed a Sebastian Prodl shot off the line to keep the match scoreless. Ten minutes later, Rashford started to pick things up in attack as he created a few chances by way of runs down the right wing. The 18-year-old benefited from Louis van Gaal's tactical switch that moved him out wide and Anthony Martial into the middle.
Although he didn't score in his third consecutive match, Rashford showed how much of an impact he can make away from goal.
With the chase for the top four alive and well, expect Rashford to earn more playing time as he continues to develop alongside his fellow youngsters and the veterans in the United squad.
Loser: Miguel Britos
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Miguel Britos' sliding challenge on Martial in the 82nd minute handed United the free-kick they used to win the match.
The 30-year-old defender didn't have a terrible game in front of the Watford net, but he made the key mistake that sent his side home without a point.
The goal was a crushing blow to the Hornets, who were arguably the better side on the red half of Manchester for the majority of the 90 minutes.
But due to Britos' poor tackle on Martial, Watford remained in 12th place and failed to gain any ground in a crowded middle part of the Premier League table.
Winner: Timothy Fosu-Mensah
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The parade of intriguing youth prospects continued to roll into Old Trafford on Wednesday as 18-year-old center-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah shone in his first start for United.
Fosu-Mensah's best moment came in the 21st minute when he slid in against Ighalo in the penalty area and cleared the ball off the foot of the forward.
The young defender extended his fine play into the rest of the match as he made four interceptions and three tackles, per WhoScored.
If he builds on his solid performance from Wednesday, Fosu-Mensah could see some additional playing time just like his fellow prospect Rashford.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
