We learnt from Watford vs ManU
> The Hornets’ defensive woes continue as Devils take important three points
ONE winger-turned-wing-back should have won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award last year, another is staking his claim this term.
Ever since filling in at leftback against Everton in September, Ashley Young has provided a consistent and dependable presence in what was Jose Mourinho’s problem position. The Watford academy product’s displays over the last two months have been largely excellent, allowing his manager to fight fires elsewhere.
Young is 32-years-old now. His Old Trafford career could easily have ended two or three years back, when he found himself perennially on the fringes. His brace yesterday
agg), 3-1 on agg), win 3-1 on agg),
(Real Madrid win 4-2 on agg). – Young’s first two-goal haul for five years – was a deserved reward for such persistence and for taking his chance now it has arrived.
Matic could be a major miss
Nemanja Matic’s start to life at Manchester United has not been the unqualified success that many have made it out to be. Even here it was not the easiest of nights for the midfielder, but that does not make his early exit any less concerning.
Matic hobbled off the pitch around the hour mark with what appeared to be a muscle problem and with Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon in United’s next two League fixtures, it could yet prove to be a costly injury.
Mourinho will be particularly frustrated as it breaks up his first-choice pivot partnership just over a week on from Paul Pogba’s return to the starting line-up. One of Ander Herrera or Marouane Fellaini will take Matic’s place if it is serious, but neither offer the same control as the Serbian.
Lindelof shows promise
As Victor Lindelof picked himself up from the ground following Newcastle United’s opener at Old Trafford 10 days back, his United career looked like it could end before it had really had a chance to start.
Credit to Mourinho, then, for persisting with the centreback, who built on a man-ofthe-match display in the weekend win over Brighton and Hove Albion with another commendable performance here.
The Swede did well, particularly in the first half when up against the in-form Richarlison, who he successfully nullified for large parts of the evening. These are baby steps for Lindelof, who still seems some way off being a starting Manchester United defender, but the signs are now more encouraging.
3 points to maintain pressure
Manchester City will not slip up against Southampton and West Ham United at home this week, meaning that if the derby on Dec 10 is to carry any real significance, United needed to win at Watford before taking another three points at the Emirates on Saturday.
Mourinho simply could not allow a doubledigit gap to open up, even at this stage of the season, as it would both look and feel insurmountable when considering the form Pep Guardiola’s side are in.
The three points and the manner in which they were won were important, as they allow United to travel to north London on Saturday confident spoiling Arsenal’s excellent home record and taking maximum momentum into the derby.
Watford run ragged
This was supposed to be a difficult night’s work for United, but the most promising sign for the visitors was Watford’s surprisingly poor defensive record. At the start of the night, their 21 goals conceded was the top-flight’s fifth-worst record. Eleven of those had come at home.
Manchester City’s rout at Vicarage Road in September appeared to have slightly skewed those statistics but after another dominant win for a top club, it is time to ask questions of Marco Silva’s defence.
Six conceded against Guardiola’s side, three against Liverpool on the opening day and now four at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s United. For all their impressive results on the road, Watford do not seem to be able to find consistency in front of their own fans. WEST BROM