WATFORD 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT VICARAGE ROAD

In Walter Mazzarri’s programme notes he said: “We will make sure we perform without leaving anything to fate.”

Watford Football club followed up their remarkable comeback against West Ham last week with a demolition of Manchester United.  United’s week which, started horribly last Saturday when they lost the Manchester Derby, went from bad to worse as they have now lost three games within the space of a week.

When Jose Mourinho was appointed as Manchester United manager the red half of Manchester were delighted that they had appointed a marquee manager who had the potential of taking United back to the top of the summit.  Five league games into the season some of these fans may well be having second thoughts already.  Mourinho’s honeymoon period might just be coming to an end. United effectively are still a work in progress.

The first chance of the game fell to Watford in the 9th minute from a free kick, which, was floated, into the United box.  Sebastian Prodl headed it to the back post but Troy Deeney who was stretching could not reach it.  In the 16th minute Daryl Janmaat crossed the ball into the box and Deeney headed it back goal wards.  David De Gea had to use all his six-foot frame as he parried the shot to safety.

United took a while to settle into the game.  Wayne Rooney  released Marcus Rashford down the right and he put a cross  into the Watford area, which ricocheted into the path of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but his shot could only find the side netting.  

On the half hour mark, Paul Pogba let fly from 30 yards.  Heurelho Gomes  stood rooted to the spot as the ball cannoned off his cross bar.

Three minutes later, Anthony Martial was robbed of the ball in his own half in what looked like a foul but the referee played on Janmaat’s cutback was swept home by Etienne Capoue to give the Hornets the lead.  That was Capoue’s 4th goal in his last five appearances. Martial did not recover from the challenge and was replaced by Ashley Young. Watford led at the break 1-0.

In the second half the real Manchester United still did not show up as Watford were comfortable.  For some reason United appeared to lack self-belief and looked scared. One person who is fearless in their team though is Rashford.   Just after the hour mark of the game Ibrahimovic’s cross fell to him via a deflection from Valon Behrami and he calmly slotted the ball home to bring the Red Devils level. That was Rashford’s 7^th goal in 14 appearances for United. 

With 12 minutes of the game remaining Luke Shaw crossed the ball to Zlatan Ibrahimovic who head it goalwards but Gomes dived to his right and palmed the ball away.  Camilo Zuniga replaced Capoue and in the 83^rd minute from a cutback he scored with his first touch of the ball to restore Watford’s lead.  That was an inspired substitution by Walter Mazzarri.

In stoppage time Marouane Fellaini brought Zuniga down in the box and the referee awarded Watford a penalty.  Deeney stepped up and fired the ball past De Gea to make this an emphatic victory for Watford.

Manchester United looked ordinary but the reason why they lost here was because of Watford’s excellent game plan and work ethic, which was missing from the United team. 

Mazzarri said: “I am very happy for the fans.  They told me that it is 30 years since Watford could not beat Manchester United. I am very happy for my players. It gives us the confidence to do what we are doing.  The changes we did brought a lot of confidence and the result we got. The only thing we need to do more is to keep the ball more when we are winning. 

Mourinho said: ”I think at 1-1 everyone thought we were going to go on and win the game.  The game was there to be won but not to lose.  Their second goal was a mistake that goes against our plan and training. Our intention was for their wingbacks to be pressed and not progressed.  We were not confident enough to tackle.  My feeling is that is not because we started the season well.  I was completely aware that some of our players are not end products and can make mistakes. My fear was how they can cope with a negative moment. I think some individuals feel to much pressure. If you analyse our three defeats we were always the best team in the second half. Today was the same.  We did not start well. The referees crucial mistakes is not in my control. We have to improve no doubt individually and collectively.  That is my job.”