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Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling. There were some tense moments in the injury time, as Nemanja Matic’s dismissal left United with a man short. However, Jose Mourinho’s men survived those last few minutes and return back from Vicarage Road with three points.
Having completed successive victories away from home in the Premier League now, the stage is set for the team to build a good, positive momentum now. Here are the three reasons why United won this contest against Javi Gracia's men.
3. Set-piece dominance:
Ahead of the match, there were many talks regarding Watford’s prominence from set-pieces and how they could target United’s backline, which has been prone to regular errors over the past few matches. However, Ashley Young’s inclusion in the playing XI meant that United had their best crosser back on the field and the team did capitalize on this situation.
It was visible that Young had various tricks up his trade while delivering corners and they seemed to be specific set-piece routines practised in the training ground. One such unique kick saw Marouane Fellaini chest the ball for Chris Smalling who scored the goal with an excellent left-footed effort.
Young and Kieran Trippier were England’s primary set-piece takers in the World Cup, and hence the former Aston Villa player seems to be assuming the responsibilities for United too.
He delivered a total of 13 crosses, thus over flooding the box with deliveries from lateral areas. Even his movement to follow up the free kick targeted to Fellaini is praiseworthy, as eventually, it was Young’s effort that was poached in by Romelu Lukaku. Thus, United neutralized the Hornets’ primary strengths and upturned it to use that for their benefit.
2. Rugged defending:
Watford has a very specific style of play, where they undertake a direct approach and launch diagonal deliveries in order to switch the play. They are quite physical in the middle of the park, often trying to dismantle their adversaries through strong their strong physical demeanour.
However, United seemed to be prepared for this particular aspect as Marouane Fellaini’s presence between the two central midfielders was vital to how Mourinho’s team managed to thwart Watford’s direct threat. Smalling and Fellaini won 12 aerial duels between them, along with making some notable defensive contributions too.
Despite troubling the backline through Will Hughes’ flair from the right flank, Watford failed to completely breach United’s defence. Smalling displayed some good game awareness, as he sensed the aerial balls targeted into the box earlier and cleared that danger.
He and Fellaini handled Troy Deeney quite well as Lindelof made four interceptions and moved the ball ahead with intent and purpose. They physically outmuscled Watford while defending set-pieces, and thus reduced a major impact-making characteristic of their gameplay.
1. David de Gea:
Over the past few years, United have been fortunate enough to maintain and secure the services of David de Gea, who has innumerably saved his side from the blushes constantly. United’s meek backline was guarded well by the Spaniard who walked away with the ‘Golden Glove’ last season.
Though he has maintained only one clean sheet in the opening five games of the season, de Gea again demonstrated why he has been regarded as United’s best signing in the past decade or so.
De Gea was left undisturbed in the first half, but he maintained a good control over his box in the second half as Watford grew into the game. He was alert and looked ready to thwart any sort of danger coming near his way.
Deeney’s first-half effort was saved well by him, whilst Abdoulaye Doucoure’s ferocious left-footed shot was yet again collected with composure from De Gea. Most importantly, as Nemanja Matic was sent off in the final minute due to a rather rash challenge on Hughes.
A lateral free-kick directed into the box was headed with precision and power by Christian Kabasele, only to be extraordinarily denied by de Gea.
The 27-year-old dived and pushed the ball behind the posts with a firm hand. Moreover, it was the angle and incision with which Kabasele’s headed effort was directed that made de Gea’s save even more commendable.
United’s number 1 has constantly pulled off such physics-defying stops, and tonight’s performance was yet another reason why he is arguably the best goalkeeper in European football currently.
