MCTOMINAY STEPS BOY MAKES MARK
SCOTT MCTOMINAY is turning into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s main man when Manchester United need a fast start. His two goals in the opening three minutes against
Leeds set up an astonishing 6-2 win last month and the midfielder flew out of the blocks again against Watford last night.
His fourth-minute header put United in early control against Championship Watford – but it was far from an easy ride for the Old Trafford side.
Mctominay might not have the swagger of Paul Pogba or the talismanic allure of Bruno Fernandes.
But Solskjaer has an unshakeable faith and trust in the Scotland midfielder and he made the youngster captain for this third-round tie.
And with the majority of his big names missing from the line-up the United boss needed Mctominay’s drive and determination against an awkward opponent.
Having been comfortably beaten in the Carabao Cup semi-final by rivals Manchester City, United were looking for another extended cup run – even if they have eyes on a much bigger prize this season.
Realistically, the FA Cup still represents United’s best chance of silverware and even ardent fans recognise that, even if they are level with Liverpool in the title race. Defensive frailties are an on-going worry for Solskjaer – and the United boss wasn’t helped as injury-prone Eric Bailly was helped off before half-time. The Ivory Coast star has had a stop-start United career. And you could almost hear the audible groans of Solskjaer and his staff after Dean Henderson wiped out the African defender with a knee to the side of the head attempting to clear Watford danger on the stroke of half-time. Bailly, who has only played 55 games in the last four seasons, stayed down and when United’s medical staff helped him to his feet he held his neck and looked groggy.
It meant Harry Maguire was forced into action when resting would have been a better way to spend a third-round weekend with rivals Liverpool on the horizon.
Predictably, Solskjaer rotated his squad making nine changes from the side which lost to City.
It meant a rare start for Donny van de Beek and even an appearance by Jesse Lingard who has only played 100 minutes of football all season.
Solskjaer had his big guns in
MAN UNITED.............. 1 WATFORD ................ 0
reserve and in the end he needed them with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial thrown on to try to kill off a brave Watford side.
That eventuality seemed unlikely after Mctominay lost his marker and headed an Alex Telles corner into the ground and over the grasp of Daniel Bachmann. It seemed a question of how many United might score but the Hornets, with Ismaila Sarr, Nathaniel Chalobah and Joao Pedro a handful, made it tough. United caused their own problems with misplaced passes and patchy play as Watford, relegated from the Premier league last season and sitting sixth in the Championship, put in a real shift.
Not surprisingly, the Hornets arrived at Old Trafford with a different manager from their last visit eleven months ago. And although they rested six of their stars including Troy Deeney and former United star Tom Cleverley they did Xisco Munoz proud.
Watford felt they deserved a penalty after 32 minutes as Sarr’s shot ricocheted off Axel Tuanzebe and on to Bailly’s arm but, despite Watford protests, ref Andrew Madley waved play on.
United should have put the game out of Watford’s reach just before half time in a rare moment of cohesion from United’s attack.
Mason Greenwood fed van de Beek who played a delightful flick into the path of Juan Mata.
The Spaniard only had Bachmann to beat but produced a weak shot which the Watford keeper saved.
United pressed for a second goal but Watford stood firm.
Liverpool will hardly be quaking.