Juan Mata and Anthony Martial strike as Manchester United sink Watford to extend unbeaten run

Manchester United have extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 16 games after a comfortable 2-0 win over Watford.

Jose Mourinho’s side bombarded the Hornets goal with 13 efforts in the first period and they broke the deadlock through Juan Mata who capped off an impressive display by netting from close range.

Walter Mazzarri brought on Daryl Janmaat at the break, which stemmed the tide slightly, and the Dutchman later missed a sitter.

But the hosts sealed victory when Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned provider for the impressive Anthony Martial to score on his return to the team.

The result briefly saw United climb into fifth in the table, before Liverpool pushed them back into sixth with a 2-0 win over Spurs in the evening kick-off. The Hornets slipped two places to 12th.

Is Anthony Martial back to his best? The Frenchman had a bad start to the season with a barren goal spell and criticism from Mourinho about his performances and his agent. But he has netted five times in his last 10 games and used his devastating pace to good effect against the Hornets with a well-taken goal. He looks to be a more effective attacking option than Marcus Rashford, who he replaced in the starting line-up.

Juan Mata (Manchester United): The Spaniard was at the heart of the home side’s attacking play with a series of intricate passes and deft flicks. And just as it looked like it was not going to be United’s day he scored the opener with a cool finish. He may have been lucky to stay on the pitch last weekend against Leicester City but was back to his best against the Hornets.

MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea 6, Valencia 7, Bailly 6, Smalling 6, Blind 4, Herrera 5, Pogba 5, Mata 8, Mkhitaryan 7, Martial 8, Ibrahimovic 6. Subs: Fellaini 5.

WATFORD: Gomes 7, Cathcart 4, Kaboul 5, Prödl 6, Britos 5 Cleverley 4, Capoue 5, Niang 7, Zárate 6, Holebas 6, Deeney 6. Subs: Janmaat 5, Okaka 5, Success 4.

17’ SO CLOSE! Great dummy from Niang, allowing Holebas to run at Bailly before curling a shot from the edge of the area which whistles around the post.

18’ - POGBA EFFORT: Straight away at the other end, the white-haired Pogba unleashes a shot from 25 yards which Gomes beats away for a corner. The set piece is cleared.

26’ - ZLATAN MISS: Pogba's brilliant long ball is chested down from Zlatan in the box but he blazes his volley over, he should have really found the target from there.

27’ - GOOD SAVE: United are bombarding the Watford goal now, Valencia with a good run down the right before sending in a low cross for Pogba whose first time shot is parried by Gomes.

32’ - GOAL! Manchester 1-0 Watford: Mata with a lovely flick to Martial on the wing, the Frenchman sends in a low cross and the Spaniard is there to tuck the ball into the net and break the deadlock.

52’ – GOOD SAVE! Pogba is penalised for a foul on Zarate 25 yards from goal in a dangerous position, he looked to get the ball in that challenge. The set piece from Zarate forces De Gea into a good diving save.

60’ - GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Watford: Martial slots the ball in at the near post after cutting back following Zlatan's first-time through ball.

70’ - WHAT A MISS! Niang gets the better of Blind again, sends in a low cross to the back post for Janmaat who fires his effort over the bar from inside the area.

Juan Mata grabbed his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.

Watford have never kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford.