Manchester United 1 Watford 0 player ratings: Who impressed as Juan Mata's free-kick sealed a narrow home victory?

The Spaniard dug his side out of a hole while youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah also caught the eye

Juan Mata chases after the ball ahead of Ben Watson (Getty Images)

Manchester United

David De Gea – 7 out of 10

‘Dealt with everything that came his way, kept his side in the game and not at fault for the problems in front of him.’ It’s becoming tiring to type that out.

Guillermo Varela – 5 out of 10

Displayed none of the confidence he had shown against Arsenal on Sunday. A pass straight into Odion Ighalo’s feet just before the break should’ve been capitalised upon.

Daley Blind – 5 out of 10

Failed to organise the two youngsters to his right, thereby granting Watford’s frontmen a lot of space early on.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah – 7 out of 10

Watford’s forwards targeted the youngster early on but he responded in kind with admirable tenacity. One particularly meaty challenge saw him lose a shinpad.

Marcos Rojo – 6 out of 10

Offered troublesome crosses from the left flank on occasions and was strong in the tackle.

Morgan Schneiderlin – 6 out of 10

Louis van Gaal’s midfield does always seem that little bit more secure with the Frenchman playing part of it. Went close with a volley after a quarter of an hour.

Ander Herrera - 5 out of 10

A performance largely free of individual errors but still looks unnatural, if not totally uncomfortable, at the base of midfield.

Anthony Martial – 6 out of 10

As blunt as most of those around him but his direct style gradually widened gaps in Watford’s defence as the game went on.

Juan Mata – 8 out of 10

It was no coincidence that the home side came to life once the Spanish playmaker began performing. His goal and second-half performance won the game.

Memphis Depay – 4 out of 10

His first effort on goal was woeful, the second merely poor and his all-round play bang average. Failed to recreate the positive signs of recent weeks tonight.

Marcus Rashford – 5 out of 10

Effectively isolated by the away side’s pressing of United’s midfield before the break but began to lead the charge in the second half. Even so, his most significant contribution was to clear a Prodl header off his own line.

Watford

Heurelho Gomes – 6 out of 10

Could do little about Mata’s winner and, to his credit, looked likely to keep a clean sheet prior to it.

Allan Nyom – 8 out of 10

A vastly improved showing after his spell out of the starting line-up. Memphis Depay had little joy against the full back.

Manuel Britos – 5 out of 10

A co-commentator on the Premier League’s in-house service argued he had to bring Anthony Martial down outside the box and concede a free-kick, the one which Juan Mata subsequently scored. He didn’t.

Sebastian Prödl – 7 out of 10

Went close with a near-post header after the break and closer still with ten minutes left, seeing his low header glance just wide. Defensively solid.

Jose Holebas – 4 out of 10

One of six changes to Quique Sanchez Flores’ side and most calamitous. Terrorised when Marcus Rashford moved out to the wing. Did nothing to displace Nathan Ake from his regular starting berth.

Etienne Capoue – 8 out of 10

Another player to put in a significantly improved display. Often dominated his lightweight midfield opponents and was unlucky to see a searing 30-yard effort fly a fraction too high.

Ben Watson – 6 out of 10

Busy and tidy in possession but should have exerted more influence given the space his side had in the first half.

Valon Behrami – 7 out of 10

Largely kept his erratic tackling in check and seemed to enjoy himself against the United midfield in the initial stages. Overawed once the home side kicked on.

Almen Abdi – 5 out of 10

Wasteful and noticeably tired as the game progressed, eventually replaced by Mario Suarez.

Troy Deeney – 8 out of 10

An energetic, bustling presence throughout and fully in-tune with his strike partner, even if he was let down by Ighalo at times. A performance which deserved a goal.

Odion Ighalo – 6 out of 10

A constant handful but, above all else, wasteful. Almost a return to the sort of form we came to expect before Christmas but yet to regain composure in front of goal.