A Juan Mata free kick seven minutes from time earned Manchester United all three points from their home encounter against Watford this evening.

It seemed for a long while that if either side was going to win the game it would be Quique Flores's, but they were ultimately punished for their failure to convert numerous chances as United went on to benefit from the points that were dropped by those above them in the table.

The fact that the scoreline remained goalless at the break owed much to the stubbornness of United goalkeeper David de Gea, who was called into action on many occasions to keep Odion Ighalo in particular at bay.

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Watford's Nigerian striker headed into the clash with just one Premier League goal to his name in 2016, yet he will feel that he should have added to that tally with four presentable openings.

The first of those was gifted to him in the 18th minute following a mistake by United centre-back Daley Blind, but his low effort was held by De Gea.

Ighalo then spun and shot wide soon after, before he raced clear of the home side's defence in the 38th minute. His attempt on this occasion was goalbound, but United's Spanish custodian did enough to turn the ball behind for a corner.

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Five minutes later Watford's No.24 pounced on a wayward pass from United full-back Guillermo Varela. Once again, though, it was De Gea that won the duel to keep the home side level.

As for United, their attacking threat was minimal during the opening 45 minutes, with Morgan Schneiderlin going closest when his well-timed volley flew just wide of the target in the 19th minute.

The second half started in similar fashion with the visiting Hornets making all of the early running. Etienne Capoue shot over from distance, while Ighalo curled wide of the far post from a tight angle.

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However, perhaps sensing that results elsewhere were going their way, United started to move through the gears as Mata drew a save from Heurelho Gomes on the hour mark.

The United playmaker then went on to bend a shot just beyond the far post, but then Watford spurned their best chance of the night with 10 minutes left. The guilty party was defender Sebastian Prodl, who inexplicably headed Ben Watson's corner wide from just two yards out.

The Austrian was then made to pay for his wastefulness as Mata won the game for the Red Devils three minutes later. Anthony Martial was brought down 20 yards from goal and the captain for the night subsequently curled the resultant free kick into the back of the net, much to the relief of the majority of those inside Old Trafford.