Bastian Schweinsteiger was delighted to prove Manchester United's matchwinner at Watford.

But Schweinsteiger admitted the result, which took Louis van Gaal's team top of the Barclays Premier League, mattered more than whether he scored his first Reds goal.

He told MUTV after the game: "It would be nice if it was my goal but I know that the Watford player touched the ball so, for me, it doesn't matter. We won the three points and that's the most important thing.

"It meant a lot to me because these sorts of games can make the difference at the end of the season. Now we have two points more, which is why I was really happy and made an unbelievable sprint after the goal where nobody could follow me so I'm very happy about that!"

Schweinsteiger stressed United had opportunities to increase their lead during a dominant first half after Memphis Depay's early goal before the late drama saw the Reds snatch a third straight win in all competitions.

"Memphis and Jesse played really well and we shouldn't forget had great chances in the first half to score the second goal which would have made it easier. We didn't play with real swagger today but we showed character and fought until the final seconds."