After his victory against Burnley just before the international break, Manchester United wanted to confirm against Watford, who had won four times in four Premier League matches. On Vicarage Road, the Red Devils took all three points (2-1), giving the Hornets their first loss of the season.
With the success of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, Manchester United had the pressure this Saturday. The Mancunian squad had no right to make a mistake against Watford in the tenth day before their 5th Premier League match.
A game that smelled like gunpowder against a team that had won its first five matches in all competitions. For this match, José Mourinho decided to trust even the starting eleven (4-3-3, ed.) before the international break, with one exception : Young replaced Shaw, who was injured in the selection round, as left back. For the Hornets, Javi Garcia installed his 4-4-2 with the French Doucouré and Capoue in front of the defense.
The London public did not have time to settle in as the Red Devils were already dangerous. Found by Sanchez, Lukaku faced Foster, but Watford’s goalkeeper made it through the Belgian striker’s slightly too long check (2′).
Much more present in the game, Murinho’s men continued their work and Pogba tried to find the rift from afar. The world champion’s shot was captured by Foster (12′).
The Hornets finally showed up at the outposts in the 16th minute, but De Gea made a magnificent parade on an attempt by Deeney. Nothing to worry the visitors who were returning to the attack. After Sanchez’s goal was denied for an hors-jeu (24th), Foster still saved his team against the Chilean (31st). Before he snapped.
Paul Pogba was everywhere !
Present at the second post to pick up a leaking center from Young, Lukaku pushed the leather to the bottom of the Nets… belly (35th, 0-1) ! Powerless at the opening of the scoring, the English goalkeeper got behind Pogba (37′), but conceded a new goal just behind. On a right-sided corner Fellaini put the ball back in the head box and Smalling made a nice chaining chest control-powerful shot to shoot Foster (37′, 0-2).
The latter saved the furniture just before the break by taking a volley out of the interior of Pogba’s foot (45 ‘ +1), very visible today. Manchester United was back in the dressing room with this two-goal lead.
In the second half, the scenario did not move too much, with Red Devils playing the game but the Hornets showed themselves more and more near the Mancunian surface.
We had to wait for the 65th minute to see movement in this second act. With a good overflow, the Habs ‘Doucouré served as a Gray retreat, and the English forward gave De Gea no chance by sending the leather into the skylight (65′, 1-2). José Mourinho then decided to launch Martial, who made his second appearance of the season after remaining at MU, in place of Lingard (71′).
After a badly negotiated counter-attack by three (78′), the French winger was taken over by Kabasele (80′). Javi Garcia’s players pushed on their side to pull out the equalizer, in vain despite two last attempts by Doucouré (90’, 90 ‘ +5), who found an excellent Gea on his way.
Solid overall, Manchester United won 2-1 to move up to 8th place. Watford recorded his first setback of the season and took fourth place.