It’s needless to say that Manchester United should’ve walked away with nothing less than three points against a Watford side battling relegation. United failed to score against a team who’ve conceded 47 goals this season. Only Leeds United and Norwich City have managed to concede more.
Despite being the dominant side, boos were ringing around Old Trafford when the final whistle was blown as United’s quest for a spot in the Champions League is in major doubt. Here are five things we learnt watching the Red Devil’s wasteful display against Watford.
OPPORTUNITIES MISSED, OPPORTUNITIES LOST
Anger, disappointment and frustration are the overriding emotions among many United supporters as the home side squandered golden opportunities against a resolute Watford side. Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Elanga failed to deliver an end product, despite having an array of chances.
After finishing the game with 22 shots, ten of those attempts coming in the first half, a goalless draw was not the expected final result. United were ultimately let down by poor finishing, as failing to convert clear-cut chances has become mission impossible.
United have created 19 big chances in their last six games which is the second-highest in the Premier League behind Liverpool with 29. Liverpool have scored 17 while United have only managed to convert five of them.
The individual who looked most off the pace was Ronaldo. The Portuguese international doesn’t look like the ruthless striker he was once after hitting the woodwork and having several of his efforts cleared. The 37-year-old has now struck just one goal in his last seven matches.
Fernandes was also guilty of wasting opportunities. He struggled to get a shot on target after heading the ball over the post despite being under no pressure.
The club desperately needs to sign a young centre-forward who can convert high-quality chances and bring combative intensity.
CONTROLLED A GOALLESS GAME
Ralf Rangnick’s side remained on the front foot for the entirety of the match — unfortunately to no avail. For once we saw United dominate play with 67% possession and take control of a game for the full 90 minutes.
While it isn’t difficult to outclass relegation-threatened Watford, we’ve seen United repeatedly get outplayed by oppositions who don’t have the same calibre of players. Therefore, it was refreshing to see a fluid attacking structure where creating chances wasn’t an issue this time. But having a dominant performance is no good when all the forward players have lost their goal-scoring touch. Finishing the game with just three shots on target is inexcusable.
Expressing his frustrations after the game, Rangnick said: “Our job as coaches is to help the team create enough chances. I think the number of clear chances we had today has to be enough to win a game like this.”
Coaching doesn’t seem to be the issue based on the manager’s remarks and the performance on the pitch. It’s the players who ultimately must shoulder the blame for dropping two all-important points.
SOLID CENTRE-BACK PARTNERSHIP
A Raphaël Varane and Victor Lindelöf pairing wasn’t exactly the original plan. But it looks like it could be the start of a new centre-back partnership.
In the first half, each defender made five ball recoveries which no other player managed to beat. Their pace, confidence in possession and passing range gave United the defensive stability they needed to keep a clean sheet, albeit against a team in poor form.
Considering Harry Maguire’s recent performances, the Varane and Lindelöf partnership is something I would like to see more of moving forward, particularly when coming up against top-flight European teams.
New starters
Rangnick made wholesale changes and brought in the likes of Alex Telles and Anthony Elanga who earned his place in the starting line-up after netting in his last two games. Elanga had another promising display in his breakout season. He was involved in offensive and defensive play by completing 16 passes in the final third, winning all his duels and completing all attempted tackles.
Telles also deserves an honourable mention as he completed the most crosses and created the most chances with four in the game. Alongside Fernandes, Telles was United’s most creative outlet and also looked bright against Atletico Madrid midweek. With Luke Shaw struggling to capture his form of last season, I believe Telles has proved he should be starting every week.
TOP 4 IN DOUBT
Since Christmas, United have dropped valuable points against Newcastle, Aston Villa, Burnley, Southampton and Watford. It was a run that was supposed to cement our spot in the top four. But instead, it’s being called into question.
More was at stake in this game with Tottenham’s win over Leeds and Arsenal securing a dramatic win against Wolves earlier. However, the stalemate at Old Trafford does little to prove United are in contention for qualifying for Champions League football next season.
To make matters worse, United are facing Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool in the upcoming weeks. This disappointing result will dampen players’ confidence and give other teams an unnecessary advantage.