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The tables will be turned this weekend when third-placed Watford, unbeaten in the Premier League so far, welcome 10th placed Manchester United at Vicarage Road. Watford are currently enjoying their best start to the league season in the history of the club, winning all 4 of their opening games, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 3. Manchester United, on the other hand, have lost 2 games already, conceding 7 goals so far and scoring 6. Against Burnley, United had 21 shots, with 9 of them on target. They enjoyed 54% possession and attempted 513 passes with 85% accuracy. However, the Hornets are an entirely different proposition.
This season, Watford have registered 48 shots, 13 less than United, however, 19 of those have been on target, compared to United’s 23, which is the reason why they have scored 3 more goals. 2 of their goals have been from outside the box, while all of United’s goals have been from inside the area. They have 77 tackles to United’s 55 and 65 interceptions to United’s 37, which is the reason for their compactness. Against Tottenham last weekend, Watford had 7 shots, 3 of them on target and scored 2 goals. Yet they had only 34% possession and attempted just 289 passes with 64% accuracy. This Watford side is drilled to be efficient and will be very hard to break down.
United, however, have the squad and the manager to make this happen. Yet, there are 4 players who will be crucial for Manchester United’s success at Watford and we discuss them here today.
Note: Luke Shaw has been United’s standout performer this season and would certainly have made this list, however, the left-back picked up an injury while on International duty, which puts his involvement in doubt and hence he misses out.
#4 Victor Lindelof
The Manchester United defence has looked jittery since the start of the season and while none of the defenders in question have looked stable, Lindelof has quietly managed to assert his playing style in the team. He already looks like an upgrade from last season, courtesy a strong 2018 FIFA World Cup and he brings one attribute to the United defence that has been a glaring miss for a couple of seasons now – quality on the ball.
Lindelof is not a hard tackling, no-nonsense defender, he does his best work with the ball at his feet and so far this season, Lindelof has been looking to play the ball from the back with good effect. He has 216 touches on the ball and has completed 178 passes so far, the second highest among the defenders after the phenomenal Luke Shaw. He also has 1 shot and 1 interception to his name. Only Shaw has more tackles than Lindelof’s 5 for United this season, but the Swede’s 19 clearances are the highest in the United team.
With a stellar partner alongside him, Lindelof looks calm and composed and also shows his qualities on the ball. Against Burnley, Lindelof was strong in defence alongside Smalling, and consistently looked to find his attackers with long balls. Against Watford too, United will require his intelligence in defence.
#3 Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has gotten better with a summer’s rest in him and looks hungry for action now. He looks fitter in the new season, however, United will be hoping he gets on the goals sometime soon. Sanchez has been quite good this season so far but has been let down by his teammates on numerous occasions. The Chilean’s work ethics are praiseworthy, he is continuously running and trying something and he, along with Luke Shaw has made the left side United’s strongest area this season. However it is not just his offensive side that is impressive, Sanchez is equally committed to winning back the ball and has, on a few occasions, dropped down very deep to win back the ball. He has regularly tracked back to help out Shaw and the young left-back has returned the favour in attack.
Even though he has started just 2 games, with one more substitute appearance, Sanchez already has 7 shots, with 2 of them on target. He has completed 87 passes and has 135 touches on the ball. He has also completed 2 through balls, the highest in the United team. However, his defensive achievements are no less, he has 5 tackles to his name already, the second highest in the team, despite playing quite less. These clearly highlight the importance of the Chilean in this United team.
Against Burnley, Sanchez was phenomenal on the left side of the front 3. He regularly interchanged places with his teammates and continuously set up Lingard and Lukaku, both of whom were criminally wasteful. His understanding with Shaw is already well documented, but Sanchez is finally looking like a part of the team now. He picked up his first assist of the season against Burnley but missed out on goal. He will be craving for that goal against Watford and United will be hoping he gets his wish.
#2 Paul Pogba
Despite winning the FIFA World Cup in the summer, Paul Pogba is yet to reciprocate the same form for United this season. He might have scored 2 goals already, but he lacks the consistency that separates the best from the rest. He has been taking up added responsibilities for the team, working like a leader and taking the creative burden so far. But Pogba’s biggest shortfall till now is that he cannot maintain the same intensity throughout the game.
The Frenchman has completed the highest passes for United this season – 225, and has started in all 4 games. He had 340 touches on the ball and only Shaw had more touches than him at United. Even though he scored both his goals from penalties, Pogba has shown a hunger at the start of this season that was missing earlier. He already has 10 shots on goal, with 6 of them on target. He also attempted one through ball. His defensive side of the game has also been good. Pogba attempted 4 tackles and 9 clearances so far.
Last weekend against Burnley, Pogba started the game very well, orchestrating the proceeding from higher up on the pitch, however, he faded away later on and with Lukaku on a hattrick, missed a penalty. United will be hoping that the Frenchman can bounce back and return to scoring goals and dictating games because Pogba has the qualities to unlock any team and United will be needing his craft against Watford.
#1 Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian has started 3 games so far this season, with an additional substitute appearance and has already scored 3 goals, keeping him well on course with the other strikers of the league. But against Burnley, despite scoring 2 goals, Lukaku missed a host of chances and could easily have scored 2 more. However, he did influence the game in so other ways, dropping down to create spaces for Sanchez and Lukaku, interchanging positions with his attacking mates to keep the defence on their toes. He also showed a budding partnership with Sanchez, which will get United fans hopeful.
The big Belgian’s all-round game is of utmost importance to his team. He holds the ball exceptionally well and brings his teammates into play. While defending from set pieces, he generally jumps the highest. And his speed on the counter is just scary. But he also contributes to winning the ball back when United are not in possession, which has seen him attempt 3 tackles so far. He is a team player, and tries to set up his teammate; he has attempted 1 through ball so far.
Lukaku has already registered 13 shots this season, with 8 of them on target and after a strong 2018 FIFA World Cup, should be looking forward to scoring a bagful of goals. His touch and passing has improved and he is still lightning quick on the turn, which makes him dangerous. But it is his goalscoring ability which makes him indispensable for Manchester United and after scoring 2 goals in the UEFA Nations League during the international break, United will require him to continue his scoring form against Watford to get the points on board.
