Ruthless United down Watford in six-goal thriller

 

Manchester United displayed clinical efficiency after Watford's fast start and even faster decline made for an entertaining fixture with a riveting ending.

The Red Devils got off to a far from convincing start in a cold yet vibrant evening in Hertfordshire, under the the floodlights at Watford, a homely club who have become accustomed to competing with the Premier League's top sides. But United's ruthless efficiency proved too much.
Manchester United do not need possession to assert their dominance over their opponents and there are few as skilled as Jose Mourinho in taking the lead and maintaining the scoreline that way. That is exactly what the Red Devils showed in the first half at Vicarage Road.
By no means did they score the first goal and shut up shop. Quite the opposite, it was Ashley Young's opening goal that gave United the confidence to drive forward. It also triggered the signing from the travelling fans who had been largely quiet as Watford piled on the pressure in the early minutes.
In the first twenty minutes, United were overrun in midfield and they failed to hold possession at the back despite playing a back three, but that is not what Mourinho looks for from his squad. Watford could not make their possession count, and the United boss will seek solace in the fact that the hosts failed to get a shot on goal in the entire first half. Moments later, Young again punished the Hornets for, ironically, their lack of sting.
All the Red Devils required were two moments of magic to change the mood at Vicarage Road, and Young, a former Watford man, provided it. The converted wing-back swung a curling free-kick into the top corner, wheeling away in celebration before the ball had even hit the back of the net.
By then Watfords defensive lackings were quite apparent. They were once again caught wide open at the back as Lukaku played Martial through and the Frenchman swept the ball low past Gomes.
But it was no sign of capitulation from the hosts, who hit the crossbar through a Richarlison header just before the break. A warning sign for what was to come in the second half that the visitors appeared to have under control until Marco Silva's substitutes provided glimpses of hope which were ultimately quashed.
Manchester United were also to blame for their second-half downfall, looking altogether unprofessional against a side that was far from dead. Lukaku wasted two clear chances to really put the game out of reach before Deeney pulled a goal back from the spot. Rojo brought down Pereyra inside the area and it was once again sloppy defending from the away side as Doucoure poked the ball into the bottom corner from Carrillo's cross.
A feeling of optimism began to fill the frosty air at Vicarage Road, but Jesse Lingard was quick to supress any options Watford held when he picked up the ball in his own half and piled past three players before stroking the ball past Gomes to secure all three points in style.