Juan Mata’s strike was all it took to separate the two sides during Wednesday’s clash between Manchester United and Watford.
The win wasn’t an easy one and most would argue that the Hornet’s had the better chances in the match.
Nevertheless, a win’s a win, so where does the victory leave United now? Are their Champions League dreams set to become a reality? Or are they destined to just miss out?
If you’d asked United fans what they thought their chances were of making the top four was last week, many would have told you that there wasn’t but a glimmer of hope.
However, after wins at home to Arsenal and Watford, as well as other results going in their favour, United are now level on points with their noisy neighbours and move to within ten points of the Premier League summit.
Manchester City’s next couple of fixtures should be easy points, as they face Aston Villa at home, and Norwich City away, before hosting United on the 20th March.
If either side win their next games, it’ll be a decisive derby, with a win for United meaning that they’d both be back on the same points, this time without any games in hand.
But it’s not just the Citizens who United will be looking to jump.
Arsenal face a tough weekend ahead, when they travel to Tottenham, who are still hoping for their first ever Premier League title.
If Arsenal lose, which let’s face it, isn’t out of the question by any means, they could find themselves just one point ahead of United – assuming the Reds are victorious against West Brom.
The Gunners, who lost to Swansea on Wednesday, have a few tough games remaining including, Everton (A), West Ham United (A), and Manchester City (H). Any points dropped now would prove vital in their charge for the title.
United have momentum in their favour. Memphis Depay, and Marcus Rashford among others are performing with high confidence and look set to continue that run of form in the next few games.
Louis van Gaal’s side have some big games coming up, but it’s these big games that the manager seems to thrive in. It’s the games against lesser opposition that he’ll have to take care with.
Leicester have proved to be tough opponents for the Reds in the past, but when the Foxes travel to United on May 1, it’ll be a game that both teams will be desperate to win.
The big question is, how will Leicester do under the pressure? They’ve never experienced important games like this before, and if they do crack, United will have to make sure they remain close behind to pick up the pieces.
United have one thing going against them at the moment. That’s the number of games they have to play. They’re on a decent FA Cup charge and face West Ham next, who they normally do well against in cup games.
They’re also still in the Europa League and if they make the final of both tournaments, they could be set for another ten games on top of the ones they’re already having to play.
Another important thing to note now is that United are no longer looking behind them. West Ham may be just a point adrift of Van Gaal’s side, but the manager won’t be concentrating on that. Not when a Champions League place is within his grasp.
Where do you think United will finish? Should they concentrate on a cup run or should they now turn their focus to the league? Let us now by tweeting us @ReadManUtd.
