“We started the season very well with (winning) the Community Shield and three victories in a row in the Premier League, the best start that a new manager has had at Manchester United I think”. We didn’t have many chances against us and their goal was a clear offside – we were unfortunate with that.
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The home side should have broken the deadlock after 14 minutes when a mix-up between De Gea and Chris Smalling gifted the ball to Odion Ighalo, who shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
That win, the Hornets’ first in the Premier League this season, eased the pressure after a slow start to the campaign that has also seen them exit the EFL Cup at the hands of League One team Gillingham.
He was then asked about United’s performance, in particular his midfielders, in which we criticised the performances of both Wayne Rooney and Paul Pogba.
Deeney then saw a header saved by the United keeper as Watford laid siege on the visitors’ goal.
But as the goal was scored in the 34th minute, Martial remained on the turf, awaiting treatment.
For all their possession, United were unsettled by Watford’s harrying game and went behind on 32 minutes after Anthony Martial, still groggy from an earlier clash of heads, was robbed by Miguel Britos. The Frenchman couldn’t continue, hobbling off with Ashley Young taking his place. I don’t know if it motivates the players or not but now he is not here and he is not our problem now.
Mourinho and Rooney were furious as Martial – who needed earlier treatment for a clash of heads – had to be substituted, though United nearly equalised before the interval as Ibrahimovic was denied by Sebastian Prodl and then Heurelho Gomes.
Despite failing to establish a starting position under Jose Mourinho that he became accustomed to in his debut season, the Portuguese has high hopes for Rashford who progressed into the first team just eight months ago.
It was a tepid display that recalled the worst moments of Louis van Gaal’s reign and Mourinho believes his players are suffering from a lack of belief that takes an extra toll whenever an important moment goes against them.
United came close to claiming all three points when Gomes got down impressively to claw away Ibrahimovic’s powerful header from Fellaini’s searching delivery, but there was a dramatic sting in the tail. “The game was there to win and never to lose”.
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And after Zuniga was fouled by Marouane Fellaini in the penalty area, Deeney completed United’s misery from the penalty spot.
