Manchester United 0-0 Watford: Player ratings & man of the match as Red Devils slip up at home
United couldn’t find the breakthrough moment, and lose ground in the top-four race.
Manchester United failed to find the back of the net at Old Trafford on Saturday, and were held to a 0-0 draw in their Premier League encounter with Watford.
The hosts were by far the better team and should really have converted one of their 22 shots. That only three were on target highlights United’s problems against Roy Hodgson’s side.
Their best chances came in the opening period, with Bruno Fernandes squandering a one-on-one opportunity while Cristiano Ronaldo was pushed wide by Ben Foster after rounding the keeper inside the box.
Ronaldo did put the ball in the back of net in the first period but it was correctly ruled offside. The striker, who struggled again over the 90 minutes, also hit the post early on with a chance he really should have scored from.
After the break, the hosts were certainly still on top but lacked the same energy as in the first period, while Watford dropped deeper and reduced the gaps for United to attack into.
Foster was called into action again, with his best save coming midway through the second half when he scrambled across his line to collect the ball after it was deflected goal-wards by Ronaldo.
Overall, it’s a point that will be more valued by the visitors in their battle to avoid the drop, rather than the Red Devils and their hopes of making the Champions League places.
1. David De Gea- 7
Was only really called into action once to make a routine save to deny Imran Louza’ strike from distance.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 6
Did well in the first half and gave very little away defensively throughout the game. It was solid yet unspectacular from the right-back against the manager who handed him his Premier League debut.
3. Raphael Varane- 6
Did well to intercept a Dennis cross in the second half, before seconds later shot blocking the striker’s shot inside the box. Varane was rarely troubled by Watford’s attackers.
4. Victor Lindelof- 7
Saw a first-half effort blocked inside the box following a free-kick. The defender didn’t have a huge amount to contend with in his own half, but he put in a great slide tackle on Emmanuel Dennis in the 44th minute to deny the forward’s shot.