Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has stated that the team had to fight hard for their victory at Watford on Saturday.

The Red Devils needed a late own goal from Troy Deeney to snatch a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, after Deeney's second-half penalty had cancelled out Memphis Depay's opener.

The win has taken United up to second in the Premier League table, a point adrift of leaders Leicester City.

"We're not being very lucky with trips and injuries this season so we went to Watford and the team had several changes with respect to the previous game, but still we were hoping to get the three points. And we did it," the Spaniard wrote in his blog on United's official website.

"I wouldn't say it was a nice football game, but I think that in the first half, and especially in the first few minutes, we were the better team and, as a consequence, we got a good goal from Memphis. In the second half, we had some chances but it's true that they did good pressing and we couldn't play the ball and control the game.

"They converted a late penalty but we showed great courage to score again before the final whistle and, following other results, we climbed to second position in the table. I'd like to highlight that we kept the team spirit until the end and I hope we do it throughout the whole season. A tough win like this one, when you don't play very good, means more than three points."

United face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.