Talking Points From United's Tuesday Triumph

ManUtd.com rounds up the topics arising from Manchester United's fine 4-2 away win over Watford in the Premier League...

LINGARD STAKES AWARD CLAIM

Jesse Lingard not only killed the game - scoring just two minutes after Abdoulaye Doucoure had made it 3-2 with Watford's second strike - but he also threw down the gauntlet for Goal of the Month, if not the Season with an amazing solo run that started deep inside United's half. The no.14 said afterwards: "I just remember picking the ball up and thinking there’s a lot of space on this pitch. There was nothing else on at the time so I felt I had to be direct and go for goal. A lot of their fans were up [at 3-2] and we had to regain our composure and calm down on the ball. I think there were about seven minutes to go [including injury time] and the fourth goal settled us down."

YOUNG'S HAPPY HOMECOMING

It was a night to remember for Ashley Young as he made a triumphant return to Watford, the club where he started his career. Despite his history with the Hornets, he was in no mood to do them any favours and he lashed in a ruthless opening effort before punishing a foul on Paul Pogba near the edge of the box with an unstoppable free-kick. "It was obviously a nice homecoming. I don’t think their fans were too happy about it but it’s one of those things. If I score goals, of course I’m going to celebrate."

FOUR GOALS ONCE AGAIN

The Reds' quartet of cracking strikes - started by Young's double and completed by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard - means United have now racked up four goals in seven separate matches this season. The overall tally for the season now stands at 49 ahead of the Arsenal game on Sunday, while the number of different scorers has risen to 13 with Young becoming the latest name on that list.

THREE MUSKETEERS AT THE BACK

United's central defensive trio all had reasons to feel positive about their busy night against a strong Watford attack. Victor Lindelof has now started three Premier League games in a row for the first time, Chris Smalling's experience was invaluable in the latter stages under the cosh and Marcos Rojo tasted league action for the first time since April. The Argentinian's rustiness may have been a factor in the foul for the Hornets' penalty but he'll surely still take heart from clocking up the full 90 minutes in a victory.

MARTIAL MATCHES HIS TALLY

Anthony Martial's well-taken finish from the edge of the box in the first half was the irrepressible Frenchman's eighth goal of the season already in all competitions – equalling his tally for the whole of 2016/17. Martial was once again the tormentor in chief, with his pace and trickery causing all sorts of problems to Watford’s back three before he was substituted on 65 minutes. Mourinho admitted afterwards that the recent accumulation of matches had taken its toll on the forward, with the no.11 now starting the last four matches since the international break. But he's taken his game to another level already this term and, if he sustains this, there’s no reason why the 21-year-old cannot emerge as United’s top scorer come the end of the season.

HALF-CENTURY FOR IBRAHIMOVIC

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his 50th appearance for the Reds in all competitions when given a late cameo at Vicarage Road; the veteran striker has now come off the bench in the last four games to ease his way back into action following his remarkable recovery from a serious knee injury. The 35-year-old didn’t have much time to make an impact and is yet to get on the scoresheet since his return but has already given the squad a huge boost. The Swede will soon be ready to start games again and he will give Mourinho another striking option which will be most welcome during a hectic December schedule.