Manchester United 2-0 Watford

Juan Mata has scored in successive Premier League games for the first time since September 2015

Manchester United moved one point adrift of a top-four place as Anthony Martial marked his return with a goal and an assist in a victory over Watford.

United, now unbeaten in their past 16 Premier League games, took the lead when Martial set up Juan Mata to finish from close range.

Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes then made fine saves to deny Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But Martial, making his first league start since 15 January, sealed victory for United in their last league game for three weeks when he fired home after a driving run.

Victory briefly took United up to fifth, but they finished the day back in sixth after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Tottenham.

• Reaction from Old Trafford and the rest of Saturday's Premier League games

• Relive the action from Old Trafford

United sign off in style

This was a hugely satisfactory day for United, who secured a routine win to maintain their push for a top-four finish.

And Jose Mourinho could have his first major silverware as Red Devils manager by the time they play their next league game, against Bournemouth on 4 March.

After home and away matches against Saint-Etienne in the Europa League, which sandwich an FA Cup visit to Blackburn, United face Southampton in the EFL Cup final on 26 February.

Anthony Martial had eight touches in the Watford penalty area as he scored one goal and set up another

And picking his team for Wembley could prove a difficult job for Mourinho.

Martial did everything asked of him on his return in place of Marcus Rashford, while Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were unused substitutes.

Watford undone by slick hosts

The Hornets arrived at Old Trafford having won back-to-back league games, which included a victory at title hopefuls Arsenal

And Walter Mazzarri's side started brightly, pushing forward with pace and creating chances.

Yet United would have been out of sight but for Gomes - the Watford keeper at his best to deny Pogba and Ibrahimovic before the interval.

Pogba's first-time shot was parried by Gomes' strong hand, while Ibrahimovic was left scratching his head after the Brazilian kept out his close-range header moments before Mata broke the deadlock.

It was by no means a quiet day for United counterpart David de Gea. At 1-0, the Spaniard produced a spectacular stop to keep out Mauro Zarate's free-kick.

And it could have been a different story had Jose Holebas' thunderous effort hit the target instead of falling narrowly wide when the game was goalless.

Man of the match - Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

The 21-year-old made the most of his return to the starting line-up. First he sent in the cross from which Mata opened the scoring and, having proved a constant nuisance, intelligently doubled United's lead

'We were phenomenal' - manager reaction

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "In the first half, the football was fabulous. The fans got behind the team just before we scored the goal because we were phenomenal.

"We are not a team scoring lots of goals so it is important to keep the clean sheets. I am really happy with the performance.

"Martial deserves the chance. He has worked harder than ever in the last two weeks in the way I like - silent but hard."

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri: "It is a pity because we started very well. The important thing that we have to avoid is losing too many balls in the midfield. This is what cost us the result today.

"We had a chance with Jose Holebas, but, after they scored, for five to 10 minutes we lost a little bit of focus and especially defensively we committed some mistakes."

Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes: "We didn't show up in the first half. Second half was much better, we competed with them, but by then it was too late.

"We are disappointed but when we lose, we lose together.

"We are still looking up the table because we have quality. When we show up, we compete with anyone."

Longest unbeaten run since Ferguson - stats

• United are on their longest unbeaten run in the top-flight since March 2013.

• They are the first team to win 2,000 points in the Premier League.

• Watford have lost on each of their four Premier League visits to Old Trafford.

• The Hornets have conceded more goals away at United than any against other side (11).

• Martial has been involved in more Premier League goals for United than any other player since his debut (22 - 14 goals, 8 assists).

• Since making his debut in August 2011, Mata has been involved in 87 Premier League goals (45 goals, 42 assists), more than any other midfielder.

What's next?

Thursday night football returns to Old Trafford as United welcome Saint-Etienne (20:05 GMT) in a Europa League last-32 first-leg tie.

Watford, who are out of the FA Cup, have a two-week break before they return to Premier League action at home to West Ham on 25 February (17:30 GMT).