This was the return of the late, late United show. Under a fading November sun, this victory by Louis Van Gaal’s team against a spirited Watford side was achieved through the latest winning goal recorded in a match by Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. And among the visiting supporters at Vicarage Road, broiling in celebration as a ninetieth minute own goal crawled over the line, the importance of the moment was not lost. It may not have been pretty, it may not have been achieved through a goal of the season contender, but this win hinted that a fundamental, presiding element of the club’s character had not – despite the growing evidence of the past couple of seasons - been jettisoned.
Troy Deeney deflects the ball into his own net
“The thing about United is we have a fighting spirit and are always known for comebacks. We saw that again here,” said the winger Jesse Lingard, who delivered another mature, intelligent performance for the visitors. So should we now acknowledge the arrival of a successor to a once famed United trait? Should we now be anticipating Louis Time? “Yeah, yeah you could say that if you want.”
The response to the winning goal was instructive. The United players’ celebration was unfettered, forming a human pyramid atop Bastian Schweinsteiger, whose cross had precipitated panic in the home defence forcing the winner. David De Gea, whose saves had been critical in the accrual of three points, joined in the visiting fans’ delight, his face a picture of determined resolve. This was as restorative of spirit and togetherness as any thirty yard net-ripper of a strike.
Ander Herrera was substituted in the first-half adding to Utd's injury woes
But for Watford and their game, resourceful captain Troy Deeney, it represented the most miserable of conclusions. Seconds after smashing home his side’s equaliser with a magnificently uncomplicated penalty, Deeney became the holder of the unwanted record of the shortest time between scoring for your own team and the opposition in Premier League history.
Memphis Depay scores the opener for Manchester United
“For us he is like the soul of the team,” said the Watford manager Quique Flores, exonerating his captain of all blame. “He represents values that we want for ourselves at Watford. He's fighting all the time, he's pushing his teammates all the time, he's everywhere on the pitch, so he's very important for us.”
• Watford v Manchester United: as it happened
And Deeney had been critical in rallying Watford’s resistance here. In the first half they had been wretched, ceding possession to a red shirt at every opportunity, as if under hypnosis.
Their centre backs had been spectators when Memphis Depay, summoned by Van Gaal from the naughty step to plug a sudden diminution in attacking resources, demonstrated his sense of theatre by scoring a slick, smart opening goal. They had watched as Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, pressing high and hard, had taken complete control of the midfield.
Troy Deeney scores his penalty to bring Watford level
But then, after Flores had delivered a sharp half time lecture, they regrouped. Deeney and the excellent Etienne Capoue seized back the initiative, forcing De Gea into showing once again his crucial importance to United’s ambition.
Manchester United's Jesse Lingard was keen to impress
For the visiting supporters the rhythm of the game had taken on a horrible familiarity: dominance was being surrendered. And when, with but five minutes remaining, Marcos Rojo needlessly upended Odion Igahlo to give away a penalty which Deeney duly dispatched with aplomb, it seemed as if justice had been done.
Bastian Schweinsteiger fires in his shot which gave Utd victory
Instead, United summoned the ghost of victories past. Chris Smalling forced Heurelho Gomes into a spectacular save. From the corner, Lingard shot through a crowded area. And when Gomes spooned the ball away, Schweinsteiger was able to cross back into the mayhem, forcing poor Deeney to negate his own act of resistance. The scrambled winner momentarily took Van Gaal’s side to the top of the division. But more importantly it transported the visiting fans back in time.
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