Millwall fan abuse ban
Shambolic Reds turned up late then received a big wake-up call from the Hornets as De Gea and Wan-Bissaka gave Solskjaer the Christmas blues
FIRST of all, Manchester United need to hope Father Christmas leaves an alarm clock in their stockings on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men rocked up to Vicarage Road half an hour late, and were given a wake-up call by Watford.
Their attitude was all wrong from the start.
How does an outfit the size of United keep turning up for football matches late? It was the first time under Solskjaer, but the latest of a number of occasions when one of the biggest clubs in the world has been sloppy with timekeeping.
And it spilled over into their play as United lived up to a newly-established reputation as a team that cannot be trusted. Gone were the heroes of wins at Manchester
City and at home to
Tottenham. Back came the white flag-wavers held at home by struggling Everton and Aston Villa, the defensively shambolic team beaten at Bournemouth, Newcastle and West Ham.
United, with Paul Pogba (below) back from injury, turned up expecting to win. Six minutes after half-time, David de Gea took his eye off the ball and allowed Ismaila Sarr’s tame shot to slip through his hands and into the net.
He slumped to the turf after surely the worst mistake of his career as the Hornets celebrated (left).
Seven minutes later Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so often so dependable, scythed down Sarr to gift Watford a penalty.
Troy Deeney rammed it past De Gea. Watford, without a win at home in nine months, grew visibly in confidence. United retreated into their shell.
Defeat leaves the Reds with their lowest-ever points tally at this stage of a Premier League season, just 25. The club still have faith in Solskjaer but there must surely be a few dissenters in the boardroom convinced they should be giving Mauricio Pochettino a call.
United under Solskjaer are Big Time Charlies, pampered prima donnas who relish taking on the A-listers but still cannot mix it with the street fighters, the grafters, the sides fighting for their lives. This team could do with watching a few videos of the sides under Sir Alex Ferguson who turned up for work – early – whether it was Liverpool or the bottom team in the league.
They may bristle at the criticism, as if they are above it, but have no business pushing for a Champions League place when there are so many other clubs able to do it against the bottom six as well as the top six.
They head into Christmas eighth in the table – their lowest position at this stage of a season since 1989.
Watford will be hoping this is the start of a revival under Nigel Pearson. The former Leicester manager knows all about miracles having laid the foundations for the Foxes’ incredible title success.
The manner of this win, and the performance in defeat at Liverpool last week, suggests the only way is up now for the Hornets.
They move within six points of safety and level on points with Norwich in 19th.
But United need to take a long hard look in the mirror.
Had little to do against the side that beat Spurs, City and Chelsea MARIAPPA
A decent outlet going forward on top of his good defensive shift KABASELE
Stood firm as United rolled out more & more attacking firepower CATHCART
Cheeky challenge on De Gea saw Watford’s firsthalf goal chalked off FEMENIA
Nice cross from the left almost enabled Doucoure to break the deadlock HUGHES
Gave away possession far too cheaply at times. Got earful from Deeney CAPOUE
Unlucky to be booked trying to make up for a mistake by Sarr
SARR
Crossing & ball retention could be better. But gained confidence DOUCOURE
Unlucky not to make a better connection with his header DEULOFEU Sometimes wanted a bit too long on the ball. Always a threat DEENEY MOTM
Not yet fully fit after his injury problems, worked hard with vital flicks
Chalobah (Doucoure 69) Pereyra (Capoue 77) Success (Sarr 87)
One of the worst mistakes of his career, normally so dependable WAN-BISSAKA United’s best player for long periods. Until he gifted that penalty LINDELOF
Didn’t do that badly. But undone by individual errors around him MAGUIRE
Realised all too late how good a chance he had with his late header SHAW
Booked and rightly so for pulling Sarr’s shirt to prevent an attack FRED
Been better of late during United’s renaissance – not here McTOMINAY
Decent quality of pass but not enough creativity from him JAMES
Good early ball in from the right to give Martial a chance he should bury LINGARD
How he must rue trying to chip the keeper when clean through in first half RASHFORD
All-action gunslinger against the top six. His firepower was missing MARTIAL
Fine through ball to give Lingard that first-half chance
Greenwood (James 58) Pogba (Lingard 64) 5; Mata (McTominay 72) 5
MILLWALL have insisted they will issue an immediate lifetime ban to any fan found guilty of racism after a Barnsley player was abused at the end of Saturday’s match at The Den.
The club says it is working with its security team, Barnsley and the police to identify the fan, who was in one of the home supporters’ sections.
A Millwall club statement said: “Any individual found guilty of racist abuse at The Den is immediately issued with a lifetime ban and also offered the opportunity to attend Millwall’s Fan Diversity Scheme.”