Rarely in recent times at Vicarage Road has a win felt more deserved than the Hornets' late heroics against Manchester United.

After Etienne Capoue's goal had been cancelled out by Marcus Rashford's bundled equaliser, it looked as though Walter Mazzarri's side may be robbed of the victory they richly deserved, having forged chance after chance in the opening period.

But two late goals, first from Juan Zuniga, before Troy Deeney sealed the points with an injury-time penalty, got the stadium bouncing and gave the Hornets' the first back-to-back wins of the year.

Here's how Watford's players rated on the day:

Heurelho Gomes - 8
Good save to deny Zlatan just before half-time, and another to keep them level in the last 10 minutes, which proved crucial. Faultless.

Watford Observer:

Holebas and Capoue win the ball from Paul Pogba. Picture: Action Images

Jose Holebas - 7
Put in a couple of good early tackles, and delivered great cross for Prodl who should have put Watford ahead early on. Needed to get tighter to Rashford before the break but improved in the second half.

Miguel Britos - 7
A crunching but perfect tackle - not a foul, Jose - in the build-up to Watford's opener. Passing a little hit and miss but solid overall.

Sebastian Prodl - 8
Epitomised everything good about Watford's improved defensive performance. Should have scored an early header, but won pretty much everything at the back. Made a sensational recovering challenge when Ibrahimovic was played through at the end of the first half.

Craig Cathcart - 7
Let Ibrahimovic in with a poor backpass before the break, but was generally solid. Did ok outside of his favoured position at right-back.

Watford Observer:

Ighalo can barely believe he has missed the target in the first half. Picture: Action Images

Odion Ighalo - 6
Guilty of one of the misses of the season in the first half, but got himself about the pitch and involved in much of the play. Quality lacking on occasion.

Etienne Capoue - 8
Another fine goal to add to the collection. One of those who you give the ball and feel confident he’ll do something with it. Along with Pereyra, showed Pogba and Rooney how to win a midfield battle.

Roberto Pereyra - 8
A livewire, always wanted the ball and generally deserved it. His defensive contribution is better than most of us expected.

Valon Behrami - 7
Hassled Rooney before the break, but let Ibrahimovic in with poor header. Quick to chase everything down and great at the base of midfield.

Watford Observer:

Janmaat wins a corner in unconventional style from Luke Shaw. Picture: Action Images

Daryl Janmaat - 8
Very positive down the right, good cross for the opener and could have had at least one more assist. Unlucky that injury ended his game early, but looked to be moving freely post-match.

Troy Deeney - 7
Great header which was well saved before the break, and generally worked hard with little reward before his penalty.

Substitutes

Nordin Amrabat (for Janmaat, 51) - 6
Didn’t generally offer anywhere near the attacking impetus of Janmaat, and gave away a couple of fouls in costly areas. Did play good ball in to Pereyra for second and had a decent effort blocked.

Watford Observer:

Zuniga celebrates his first goal in Watford colours. Picture: Action Images

Juan Zuniga (for Capoue, 81) - 8
It’s not customary to give players ratings when they’ve been on less than 15 minutes, but after scoring and winning a penalty, it seems only fair.

Success (for Ighalo, 90) - N/A.