The 20-time champions were on the rack for much of the game against Watford, but on a night when major rivals struggled the three points could turn out to be massive
Somehow, Manchester United are now the form team at the top end of the Premier League and right back in the Champions League reckoning. All that after being overrun for much of the evening against Watford at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Juan Mata’s superbly executed free-kick seven minutes from time was enough to earn the Red Devils a 1-0 victory which takes their winning run in all competitions to four games. On a night when Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City all lost, it could hardly have been better timed.
Quique Sanchez Flores’s side will rue the host of chances they squandered over the 90 minutes, particularly a number of opportunities for Odion Ighalo in the first half.
But while Louis van Gaal will not be entirely happy with his team’s display, all he will care about is the destination of the three points which now put his side level with neighbours City in the race for fourth.
Such is the unpredictability of the Premier League this season, United fans will be taking nothing for granted with 10 games still to play. But with a modicum of form coming together and senior players beginning to slowly return to action, there is finally some reason for optimism around Old Trafford in relation to their side’s hopes for 2015-16. It has been a period of some months since United have been this well placed.
It was perhaps fitting that Mata should make the difference on the night. The Spaniard, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, delivered a composed display which underlined his recent return to form.
While Mata spent much of the autumn and winter months struggling to reach his usual lofty heights, he has reacted superbly over the last four games to the criticism he received for his role in Midtjylland’s winning goal in the first leg of the Europa League tie in Denmark.
As unconvincing as United’s performance was as a whole, their fans will take a few more nights like this one. The huge ground made up on the top four might well mark this out as a crucial evening in the Champions League race.
- Goal