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Watford captain Troy Deeney hails Walter Mazzarri’s team-first approach

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Watford captain Troy Deeney puts their victory over Manchester United down to the team spirit brought by manager Walter Mazzarri

Troy Deeney has credited new Watford manager Walter Mazzarri’s team-first approach for Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United.

The Hornets handed Jose Mourinho's side their third consecutive defeat to climb to ninth in the Premier League table.

The win comes on the back of a stunning victory away at West Ham in which Watford battled back from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

Mazzarri succeeded Quique Sanchez Flores this summer and has wasted no time in asserting his authority over the squad.

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Watford boss Walter Mazzari says he's happy to fulfil the Hornet fans' wishes as they beat Manchester United for the first time in 30 years

Speaking about his manager, Watford captain Deeney told Sky Sports News HQ: "He has not been afraid to take people off. I've been taken off. [Etienne] Capoue got taken off at the weekend.

"It's not a case of Capoue is scoring, he has got to play. If he looks tired or he thinks it needs a change for the benefit of the team, you are out of the team.

"The team will always be bigger than the individual which is a good thing for everybody."

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Highlights from Watford's 3-1 victory over Man Utd.

Watford increased their attacking options this summer with the signings of Argentine forward Roberto Pereyra from Juventus for £13m and Nigerian striker Isaac Success from Granada for £12.5m.

So far Mazzarri has kept last season's successful strike partnership of Deeney and Odion Ighalo intact, with Pereyra typically deployed in an advanced midfield role behind them.

Watford rejected a £20m offer for Deeney from Leicester City over the summer and a £37.5m bid from Shanghai SIPG for Ighalo but Deeney says they both know they cannot become complacent.

Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra (L) keeps a close eye on Manchester United's Paul Pogba
Image: Watford midfielder Roberto Pereyra (L) keeps a close eye on Manchester United's Paul Pogba

"Football moves pretty quickly," Deeney explained. "Obviously we have had two new lads in. It has given us a little kick up the backside to make sure we don't go too long without scoring.

"Last year I went ten games without scoring. Now I am two in five which is a lot better than last year.

"Me and Iggy [Ighalo], we are always going to be a partnership but we have got to make sure we keep scoring goals. If we don't there are two new lads that will come in and take our job."

Watford began their Premier League campaign with a draw at Southampton before three consecutive home defeats, losing to Chelsea and Arsenal in the league with an EFL Cup loss to Gillingham sandwiched in between.

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Deeney says the wins over West Ham and United have reinvigorated the squad and he is hoping to keep up the positive momentum when Watford travel to Burnley on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, next week.

"We are starting to find our feet now," Deeney said. "We had a tougher start to the season with the five games we have had.

"Getting back-to-back victories in the Premier League is massive for anybody. We have a nice break now. We don't play until Monday night on Sky so we have to make sure we are ready for that.

"Obviously the fans and the players are all happy after this weekend. It's the first time we've beaten Man United in over 30 years so it is massive."

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