MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday (March 30) as his team moved back into the top four.
But it was a far from impressive performance from United even though goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earned the victory which moved them up to fourth in the table, level on points with third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
After a slow start, United took the lead in the 28th minute when Luke Shaw played a delightful through ball into the path of Rashford who clipped it past advancing Watford keeper Ben Foster.
Watford enjoyed plenty of possession in United's half and looked dangerous when breaking without causing David De Gea too much work.
United's main problem was their midfield which barely operated as a unit. Neither the deep-lying Nemanja Matic nor Paul Pogba, in an advanced role, were anywhere near their best and that left the only effective route down the flanks.
It was from a burst down the right wing that United made sure of the points with Martial's strike in the 72nd minute.
Substitute Jesse Lingard's low cross caused Martial and Foster to tangle for the ball, which fell kindly for the Frenchman who hooked home United's second.
Â
Watford got some reward for their positive approach when Abdoulaye Doucoure slotted home in the 90th minute after an exchange of passes with Isaac Success.
"Watford started off really well and we struggled to get to grips with their tempo," said Solskjaer who twice used the word "sloppy" in describing his team's performance.
"We defended great, and after about 20 minutes, I felt we were more comfortable. It was more a draw, performance-wise. We'll take the three points," he said.
Norwegian Solksjaer, handed a three-year contract on Thursday, has led United to 15 wins in 20 matches in all competitions since taking over as caretaker manager in December.
Watford slipped to 10th with the loss but manager Javi Gracia felt his team could have got more out of the match.
"I think it was a very good performance, but a bad result. We didn't take the chances we created in the first half. We dominated the game, we had more possession, we created more chances. But we didn't score and they punished us. I'm a little bit frustrated," he said.
Football: Rashford, Martial give lacklustre Man United win
Live match reaction for the Manchester United VS Watford game that took place today at old Trafford in the premier league finishing 2-1 to United with the goals scored by Rashford and Martial.
Rashford and Martial give United win over Watford - Football
MANCHESTER: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a far from impressive performance from United but goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earned the victory which moved them up to fourth in the table, level on
Man Utd 2-1 Watford | Rashford & Martial Goals Give Ole Win
Manchester United vs Watford highlights and reaction as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford score. Man Utd beat Watford in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge as permanent manager with
Football: Solskjaer unimpressed as 'sloppy' United avoid
Manchester United 2-1 Watford: Rashford and Martial give Solskjaer first win as permanent manager reign as permanent manager began with a laboured win over Watford. Watford 0. Anthony
Rashford and Martial give United win over Watford | New
March 30 (Reuters) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a far from
Rashford and Martial give United win over Watford
adtest.supersport.com/football/premier-league/news/190330/Rashford_and_Martial_give_United_win_over_Watford
It was the ninth goal during Solskjaer's reign for Rashford, who has blossomed in the last three months, and has replaced Romelu Lukaku as United's main man up front. Foster, once of United, has been Watford's best player this season, and he underlined why with a brilliant instinctive save to deny Martial from close range as United threatened
Man Utd - Watford 2-1 Rashford & Martial goals give Ole win
Football: Rashford, Martial give lacklustre Man United win over Watford The Norwegian said his team had been unable to bring Paul Pogba into the game enough with the Frenchman having a below-par
Football: Rashford, Martial give lacklustre Man United win over Watford The Straits Times Football news - Anthony Martial set to miss PSG return leg for injury-hit United
Manchester United vs Watford highlights and reaction as
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday (March
Manchester United 2-1 Watford: Rashford and Martial give
Please like, subsrcibe and comment! This video is unavailable. Watch Queue Queue
Anthony Martial #11 News, Stats, Photos - Manchester United
No comments:
Post a Comment