Manchester United 1-0 Watford: Juan Mata nets late winner to down Hornets – 5 things we learned

The game appeared to be heading for a draw when the Spaniard whipped a stunning free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards

Juan Mata was the hero as Manchester United extended their winning run to four games.

The Spaniard stepped up to whip home a stunning free-kick in the closing stages at Old Trafford, helping Louis van Gaal's men to a hard-earned win over Watford.
The away side enjoyed plenty of the ball throughout and had the better of the chances for much of the match.
But Odion Ighalo did not have his shooting boots on, allowing United to secure maximum points with his moment of genius.
Here are five things we learned:

1. De Gea showed his worth once more

Man United fans dare not think where they would be this season had David de Gea joined Real Madrid on deadline day last summer. 
Here, he made key saves yet again to deny Ighalo and proved his enduring worth.
Even then, United lived dangerously on occasion, not least when Watford defender Sebastian Prodl headed wide from no more than three yards. 
How Watford would live to rue those chances.

2. Mata's dead-ball expertise to the fore again

Last week, the playmaker netted a beautiful free-kick to help the Red Devils knock Shrewsbury out of the FA Cup. Here, he was at it again.
Most expected him to go for the near post when he ran up to the ball 25 yards out, with Heurelho Gomes moving to his left in anticipation.
But Mata cleverly went for the far corner, the ball nestling in the net and sending Old Trafford into raptures.

3. Depay continues to frustrate

It's a case of one step forward, two steps back for United's £25m summer signing.
Against Midtjylland and Arsenal, Memphis Depay looked like he'd found some form, but he again frustrated here, with another below-par display. 
He got into decent positions on occasion, but his slapstick shooting never looked like troubling keeper Heurelho Gomes.

4. Ighalo a constant menace

The Watford striker had four chances in the first-half but failed to convert any of them. He also annoyed striker partner Troy Deeney on occasion, failing to pass when team-mates were seemingly better placed.
But his pace, movement and awareness made it an uneasy night for United's defence. 
They won't forget this battle in a hurry.

5. Rashford never gave up

He may have been unable to maintain his extraordinary goal-scoring exploits, but United's 18-year-old overnight hero never let his head drop and was a major threat in the second-half.
The striker was moved to the right flank and used his pace to good effect, hitting the byline to provide some cutting edge in the closing stages.

Teams

Man United: De Gea, Varela, Blind, Rojo (Darmian), Fosu-Mensah, Schneiderlin, Herrera (Lingard), Martial, Mata (McNair), Memphis, Rashford
Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Britos, Prodl, Holebas, Capoue, Watson, Behrami (Anya), Abdi (Suarez), Deeney, Ighalo (Amrabat)