This Saturday’s Watford vs Manchester United game culminated in another disappointing result, as a deplorable performance by Manchester United had them succumb to a 1-4 defeat at the hands of relegation-battling Watford. Despite promises of a “reaction,” a “… a good performance” and the need to “… come out against Watford like a proper hurt animal…”, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side failed to find a foothold in the game, as unaddressed problems, yet again, impeded a plausible victory for the Red Devils.
Despite David De Gea’s consecutive penalty saves in the opening ten minutes, United failed to grow into the game, inevitably resulting in the home side dominating the Red Devils for large parts of the ninety minutes. A sublime header in the second half by Donny Van De Beek only proved futile as the visitors, yet again, seemingly lacked coordination, coherence, and a proactive approach from the first whistle.
Having taken only 4 points out of a possible 21 since their unconvincing victory against West Ham, frustrations have boiled over Solskjaer’s position. Despite, a significant Champions League tie against Villarreal in proximity, the United board have finally pulled the plug on the Norwegian amidst the result from the Watford vs Manchester United match.
BREAKING: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked by Manchester United.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 21, 2021
Here are the Watford vs Manchester United Match Ratings
David De Gea (GK) – 6/10
United’s defensive frailties, yet again, stained the Spaniard’s contribution against Watford. De Gea’s consecutive penalty saves failed to awaken a seemingly lethargic United side, eventually costing him another clean sheet.
The team’s predicament is reflected in the fact that they have only kept two clean sheets in their last 25 outings, with their goalkeeper being the least of their concerns. However, although their collective effort failed to produce a glaringly positive change, De Gea’s impressive form remains amongst a few reasons for optimism within the fan base.
Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 5/10
A decent defensive outing, the full-back once again failed to significantly contribute to the attacking side. Aided by Jadon Sancho’s willingness to fall back without possession, Wan-Bissaka emerged as United’s better defenders on the pitch but continued lacking in the attacking third.
Following the introduction of Donny Van De Beek – trailing by two goals – Wan-Bissaka showed relative improvement, however, eventually failed to display a convincing overall performance expected of a modern full-back.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 4/10
A victim of, perhaps, also complicit in United’s lack of defensive cohesion, the Swedish international, yet again, failed to justify his place in the starting eleven. Given the nod ahead of Eric Bailly, Lindelof struggled to cope with Watford’s physically imposing and nippy forwards throughout the game.
With Harry Maguire ruled out for the trip to Stamford Bridge, it remains to be seen if the Swede displays a reasonable improvement in his overall performance alongside a physically imposing and quick partner.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 3/10
While a couple of pivotal blocks prevented the home side from increasing their lead in the first half, Maguire struggled to deliver a reassuring performance. Although many expected the United captain to kick on following a string of promising displays with the national side, a sending-off in the second-half only compounded the centre-back’s nauseating start to the season.
Failing to organize the backline whilst struggling to contain the home side’s quick-footed forwards, Maguire, arguably, justified the comments aimed at him by critics over the international break. Undeniably, enduring his worst patch of form since being given the armband by Solskjaer, it remains unlikely the 28-year-old drastically improves his performances anytime soon.
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The Days Are Numbered For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer As The Decline Continues Against Watford
Midfielders
Nemanja Matic (CDM) – 4/10
Amongst the many players underutilized by the manager, Matic’s inclusion alongside Scott McTominay raised many eyebrows in the lead-up to the game. A midfield devoid of mobility and tenacity, Matic unsurprisingly struggled to cope with Watford’s unrelenting press, giving up the ball in several vital areas at the edge of his penalty box.
Having failed to make the most out of his opportunity, the Serbian is likely to be benched against Villarreal and could plausibly fail to be granted a start against Chelsea next weekend.
Scott McTominay (CM) – 3/10
Having failed to make an impression since returning from a groin injury, McTominay’s inclusion continues to perplex both fans and pundits the world over. The Scottish international was, once again, dominated in midfield, failing to assert his presence whilst struggling to create space and supplement the attack throughout his time on the pitch.
With United’s midfield problems persisting under Solskjaer, it remains to be seen if the Scot continues to make the starting line-up over the next couple of games.
Attackers
Jadon Sancho (RW) – 7/10
After an underwhelming first half, Sancho gradually improved over the next forty-five minutes following the inclusion of Donny Van De Beek during the break. The 20-year-old thrived in exploiting attacking spaces, resulting in the creation of several goal-scoring opportunities for Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty box.
Amongst the few United players to have delivered sensational crosses for their number nine, Sancho arguably delivered his best performance in a United shirt. With Mason Greenwood unlikely to return anytime soon, Sancho is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up for the next couple of fixtures.
Bruno Fernandes (CAM) – 4/10
Currently enduring his longest goal drought since his arrival at the club, the prolific midfielder, once again, failed to make a positive impact on the game. Amidst the glaring disconnect running through United’s players on the pitch, Fernandes reduced to being just another victim as he failed to adapt to the Hornets’ high-press, providing negligible support throughout all thirds of the pitch.
However, with United in desperate need of a run of positive results, the Portuguese is amongst a few players unexpected to be axed and is likeliest to retain his place for the majority of United’s upcoming fixtures.
Marcus Rashford (LW) – 3/10
Part of an inconsistent pool of players at United, Rashford has seemingly failed to build on his initial performance since returning from surgery. The winger failed to impose himself, pose a threat and create chances before being replaced by Anthony Martial at half-time.
However, provided Solskjaer remains in charge against Villarreal on Tuesday, Rashford is expected to retain his place, being amongst the foremost names on the team sheet at United.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 5/10
Aside from providing an unselfish assist for Van De Beek, Ronaldo surprisingly failed to convert multiple goal-scoring opportunities throughout the second half. The Portuguese came close on several occasions but failed to register his name on the score sheet owing to several brilliant saves by Ben Foster and his failure to find himself offside in favourable positions.
Unlikely to be rested anytime soon, Ronaldo remains pivotal to United regaining their momentum ahead of a challenging set of fixtures.
Man Utd have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches:
🔴 1-0 vs. Aston Villa
🟠 1-1 vs. Everton
🔴 4-2 vs. Leicester City
🔴 5-0 vs. Liverpool
🟢 3-0 vs. Spurs
🔴 2-0 vs. Man City
🔴 4-1 vs. WatfordNext up: a trip to Stamford Bridge. 😬 pic.twitter.com/VdJa3Fuozi
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 20, 2021
Substitutes
Donny Van De Beek (CM) – 7/10
Arguably, United’s most impressive performer on the pitch, Van De Beek instilled hope for a comeback following his introduction at half-time. The Dutch midfielder succeeded a linking-up United’s incoherent structure whilst contributing at both ends of the pitch.
Van De Beek’s intelligence combined with his ability to exploit spaces produced the visitors’ most promising period of play as he successfully stitched multiple passes and contributed to United’s attack down the flanks. Given his impressive performance, the Dutchman could likely be given an opportunity against Villarreal on Tuesday.
Anthony Martial (LW) – 5/10
Failing to significantly impact the game following his introduction, Martial seldom found the ball at his feet as United struggled to cope with numbers after Maguire’s sending off. A surprising introduction, the Frenchman’s lack of minutes reflected in his rather sombre performance as he failed to make the most of a rare opportunity.
Likely to seek a move elsewhere in the summer window, Martial is expected to remain down the pecking order given United’s wealth of talent up front.
Jesse Lingard (RW) – 6/10
Granted only a few minutes, Lingard understandably failed to improve a dampening performance. The Englishman has been impressive in crunch moments this season but failed to reproduce his previous performances on Saturday.
With contract talks unlikely to move forward with the club, Lingard is expected to seek a move in January and could see reduced game-time over the next few weeks.
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