Manchester United 2-1 Watford: 3 takeaways from the match | Premier League 2018-19

#2. Some of the United players made a return from injury

Anthony Martial

United were at full-strength yesterday, as some of their players made their respective comebacks from injuries. Ander Herrera started in the midfield, and so did Anthony Martial and Juan Mata in the attack. United started with a 4-3-3 formation with Mata, Rashford, and Martial as their three forwards.

Mata looked quite fit, and also played some good passes to Rashford and Martial. However, he had to play as a false 9 at times and did not look quite comfortable while doing it. He should be more comfortable playing as a central attacking midfielder, but United would have to bench either Herrera or Nemanja Matic in order to accommodate him in their midfield.

Romelu Lukaku did not play yesterday, and United’s attack looked rather poor without him. Jesse Lingard, another player recovering from injury, came in for Mata in the second half, but could not make quite a difference.