Buy Luxury Apartments on the Island, Lagos
Manchester United got their top-four challenge back on track after edging past Watford 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in permanent charge of United was far from comfortable as Watford dominated for large periods and had 20 shots compared to eight from the home side.
However, Marcus Rashford scored on the counter-attack in the 28th minute and Anthony Martial bundled in a second in the 72nd minute to put United in control.
Abdoulaye Doucoure replied with a slick goal in the 90th minute but United, who had lost to top-four rivals Arsenal last time out, held on to move into fourth place in the Premier League.
Why Utd win hints at challenges ahead
It was a game that both sides might look to move on from quickly - Watford due to the disappointment of leaving empty-handed and United because it was one of their poorest displays since Solskjaer took caretaker charge in December.
Solskjaer's promotion from caretaker manager to permanent boss was greeted with chants of 'Ole, Ole, Ole' as the teams emerged, while a large banner celebrating the Norwegian was unveiled across the Stretford End.
Player ratings
Manchester United: De Gea (6), Young (6), Smalling (7), Jones (7), Shaw (8), Herrera (5), Matic (5), Pogba (5), Mata (5), Martial (7), Rashford (7)
Subs: Lingard (6), Pereira (5), Rojo (5)
Watford: Foster (5), Janmaat (5), Britos (6), Kabasele (6), Masina (5), Capoue (6), Hughes (6), Doucoure (7), Pereyra (6), Deulofeu (7), Deeney (7)
Subs: Femenia (5), Success (5), Gray (5)
Marcus Rashford scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United seemed "on holiday" as his reign as permanent manager began with a laboured win over Watford.
The victory was harsh on the visitors, who dominated possession for long periods and had superior chances, but it lifts United into fourth place above Arsenal, who play on Monday.
Marcus Rashford's 10th Premier League goal of the season, after a superb through ball from Luke Shaw, gave United a flattering lead.
And as Watford wasted further opportunities to earn their first league win at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial made them pay midway through the second half with a close-range finish.
"It was a really nervy last five minutes," said Solskjaer, who was appointed on a three-year-deal on Thursday.
"They made it difficult for us and it seemed as though we were still on holiday or the international break.
Both teams feel they should have points.
"When I won trophies here, we didn't play well in every game but [today] we lacked zip, urgency, and fitness." — Ole
The victory ended a run of successive defeats for Solskjaer, and took United level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was vocal on the touchline as his side struggled at the start of both halves
United struggle as new Solskjaer era begins.
After being appointed on Thursday, having lost only one of his 13 Premier League games in charge since taking over from Jose Mourinho in December, Solskjaer asked his side to work harder and warned against complacency.
However, there was a tiredness to their play throughout, which, but for Watford's wastefulness, would have been punished. Paul Pogba also lacked his usual influence.
Whether it was because of the international break or down to Solskjaer's new status, it was difficult to say. Far from being a party atmosphere inside Old Trafford as Ole continued 'at the wheel', there were times during the game when the wheels almost came off.
The visitors had 20 shots to United's 8, with eight of them on target, yet they were often tame. Doucoure could easily have given Watford the lead early on but fired wide from 10 yards.
Troy Deeney might also have had a case for a penalty when he was charged in the box by Phil Jones.
For all United's failings, though, Rashford's well-taken goal and Martial's bundled effort, which Watford thought was offside, helped grind out a much-needed victory to keep United's Champions League hopes on track.
Their goals, in addition to those previously from Romelu Lukaku and Pogba, also ensured United have four league goalscorers in double figures for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
Abdoulaye Doucoure finally found the net in the 90th minute, his fourth goal of the season
Watford suffer from poor finishing
Watford boss Javi Gracia will be hugely encouraged by his team's performance, as they began both halves on top and showed they are good value for reaching the top 10 in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final.
Man of the match - Phil Jones
Had it not been for Phil Jones, and at times Chris Smalling, United's goal would have been under far more threat. Jones made nine clearances, three interceptions and gained possession nine times.
What the Managers said
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
"It was the start of the rest of the season for us. If we can get 15 points, we'll be top three.
"Today will have done us the world of good fitness-wise. We know how hard it is to play against Wolves [United play them on Tuesday] so we need to make sure we have a team fit and available."
Watford boss Javi Gracia:
"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.
"We are getting a lot of good results away but today was an exception. We need to improve before the next games.
"I'm a little bit frustrated. It was a good performance but we didn't take our chances in the beginning."
Manchester United got their top-four challenge back on track after edging past Watford 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in permanent charge of United was far from comfortable as Watford dominated for large periods and had 20 shots compared to eight from the home side.
However, Marcus Rashford scored on the counter-attack in the 28th minute and Anthony Martial bundled in a second in the 72nd minute to put United in control.
Abdoulaye Doucoure replied with a slick goal in the 90th minute but United, who had lost to top-four rivals Arsenal last time out, held on to move into fourth place in the Premier League.
Why Utd win hints at challenges ahead
It was a game that both sides might look to move on from quickly - Watford due to the disappointment of leaving empty-handed and United because it was one of their poorest displays since Solskjaer took caretaker charge in December.
Solskjaer's promotion from caretaker manager to permanent boss was greeted with chants of 'Ole, Ole, Ole' as the teams emerged, while a large banner celebrating the Norwegian was unveiled across the Stretford End.
Player ratings
Manchester United: De Gea (6), Young (6), Smalling (7), Jones (7), Shaw (8), Herrera (5), Matic (5), Pogba (5), Mata (5), Martial (7), Rashford (7)
Subs: Lingard (6), Pereira (5), Rojo (5)
Watford: Foster (5), Janmaat (5), Britos (6), Kabasele (6), Masina (5), Capoue (6), Hughes (6), Doucoure (7), Pereyra (6), Deulofeu (7), Deeney (7)
Subs: Femenia (5), Success (5), Gray (5)
Marcus Rashford scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United seemed "on holiday" as his reign as permanent manager began with a laboured win over Watford.
The victory was harsh on the visitors, who dominated possession for long periods and had superior chances, but it lifts United into fourth place above Arsenal, who play on Monday.
Marcus Rashford's 10th Premier League goal of the season, after a superb through ball from Luke Shaw, gave United a flattering lead.
And as Watford wasted further opportunities to earn their first league win at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial made them pay midway through the second half with a close-range finish.
"It was a really nervy last five minutes," said Solskjaer, who was appointed on a three-year-deal on Thursday.
"They made it difficult for us and it seemed as though we were still on holiday or the international break.
Both teams feel they should have points.
"When I won trophies here, we didn't play well in every game but [today] we lacked zip, urgency, and fitness." — Ole
The victory ended a run of successive defeats for Solskjaer, and took United level on points with third-placed Tottenham, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was vocal on the touchline as his side struggled at the start of both halves
United struggle as new Solskjaer era begins.
After being appointed on Thursday, having lost only one of his 13 Premier League games in charge since taking over from Jose Mourinho in December, Solskjaer asked his side to work harder and warned against complacency.
However, there was a tiredness to their play throughout, which, but for Watford's wastefulness, would have been punished. Paul Pogba also lacked his usual influence.
Whether it was because of the international break or down to Solskjaer's new status, it was difficult to say. Far from being a party atmosphere inside Old Trafford as Ole continued 'at the wheel', there were times during the game when the wheels almost came off.
The visitors had 20 shots to United's 8, with eight of them on target, yet they were often tame. Doucoure could easily have given Watford the lead early on but fired wide from 10 yards.
Troy Deeney might also have had a case for a penalty when he was charged in the box by Phil Jones.
For all United's failings, though, Rashford's well-taken goal and Martial's bundled effort, which Watford thought was offside, helped grind out a much-needed victory to keep United's Champions League hopes on track.
Their goals, in addition to those previously from Romelu Lukaku and Pogba, also ensured United have four league goalscorers in double figures for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
Abdoulaye Doucoure finally found the net in the 90th minute, his fourth goal of the season
Watford suffer from poor finishing
Watford boss Javi Gracia will be hugely encouraged by his team's performance, as they began both halves on top and showed they are good value for reaching the top 10 in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final.
Man of the match - Phil Jones
Had it not been for Phil Jones, and at times Chris Smalling, United's goal would have been under far more threat. Jones made nine clearances, three interceptions and gained possession nine times.
What the Managers said
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
"It was the start of the rest of the season for us. If we can get 15 points, we'll be top three.
"Today will have done us the world of good fitness-wise. We know how hard it is to play against Wolves [United play them on Tuesday] so we need to make sure we have a team fit and available."
Watford boss Javi Gracia:
"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.
"We are getting a lot of good results away but today was an exception. We need to improve before the next games.
"I'm a little bit frustrated. It was a good performance but we didn't take our chances in the beginning."
- Readers Comments desired, Share Your Story in comment box below;
0 Comments