It was the first time United had lost to Watford in 30 years and the first occasion Mourinho had been beaten in three consecutive matches since 2002 when he was in charge at Porto.
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The Jose Mourinho-led side crashed to a surprise 1-3 loss at Watford in their Premier League clash on Sunday, having already been beaten at home by local rivals Manchester City the previous weekend and slipping to a Europa League defeat against Feyenoord.
The United manager also criticised referee Michael Oliver, claiming that the official missed a foul on Anthony Martial in the lead-up to the opening Watford goal by Etienne Capoue. “At the moment heads are down but, as I said, we must stand together and fight and show that we are confident”.
Rooney mustered one shot, did not play a single through ball and created only two chances for team-mates with the nine corners and free-kicks he took.
United and Mourinho felt aggrieved as they felt City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo should have seen red for a foul on Wayne Rooney early in the second half.
He was always going to make changes for the trip to Northampton – David De Gea, Pogba and Ibrahimovic are set to be rested – and the squad who travelled yesterday included a number of fringe players. Remind them that they’re good players, tell them what they have to do to get back on track.
Rooney has been a key part of United’s attack since scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his debut for the Old Trafford club 12 years ago after arriving from Everton.
With a potential move on the cards, it is just 16/1 that Rooney fails to beat Bobby Charlton’s Manchester United goalscoring record of which he is four goals away.
The Times have now alleged that Shaw is unhappy with Mourinho’s public criticism, especially considering that he was playing with an injury at that point of the game.
The result, compounded by the subsequent defeats to Feyenoord and Watford, is that I think Mourinho is now at a loss as to what his best team is.
Writing for the Daily Mail, Redknapp insisted playing the Englishman alongside Pogba would help assuage United’s midfield woes.
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Manchester United have lost their last three games and play at Northampton Town tonight looking to avoid a major League Cup upset.
