MAN UNITED 2 WATFORD 1
The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era began with victory at home to Watford as Manchester United moved back into the top four Champions League places.
The Norwegian, who days earlier signed a three-year contract to become permanent manager, watched a far from impressive display against the high-flying Hornets.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial secured victory against opponents who were disappointed to leave Old Trafford empty handed.
Though Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a last-minute consolation goal, Watford’s enterprising performance deserved more.
They had 20 attempts at goal – no many visiting sides create that many chances – against eight from United as all they lacked was a more ruthless cutting edge.
At the business end of the season, though, it is about winning, an art which Solskjaer has perfected in his three months at the helm, initially as interim manager, after succeeding Jose Mourinho.
Embed from Getty ImagesSolskjaer admitted his side was not at its best.
“Everyone knows we can do better but we got three points, and you cannot do more than that,” he said.
“We started the first 20 minutes slowly and were sloppy and Watford deserved to take the lead.
“You could see we have had players out injured and others away on international duty and haven’t trained much.
“You always look forward to the first game after the international break, though it is always a potential banana skin.”
Solskjaer added he would have liked his side to dominate, but that was not possible as he described Watford and Wolves as the best two teams outside the top six.
Watford manager Javi Garcia admitted it was difficult to explain why his side lost.
He said: “We had a good performance but it was not good enough to get the points.
“I am happy with the performance. We had more shots than United but have to finish better in the final metres.”
Solskjaer made four changes from the FA Cup defeat at Wolves.
There were recalls for David De Gea, Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Juan Mata as Sergio Romero, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Jesse Lingard lost out.
Watford had the first goal attempt in the sixth minute when impressive midfielder Doucoure pulled a shot narrowly wide.
That was quickly followed by a chance from Hornets’ captain Troy Deeney who blazed over.
United’s start was unimpressive as De Gea had to be alert to push out a header from Deeney, though replays showed it was not on target.
Roberto Pereya then forced a diving save from De Gea as United just weren’t at the races.
United had a penalty appeal rejected when Martial went down and replays showed a shove in his back by Miguel Britos.
The deadlock was broken by Rashford in the 28th minute, though Luke Shaw deserved enormous credit.
The left back won the ball on the edge of his defensive box, raced to half way and then released Rashford who raced clear before slotting a shot low past advancing keeper Ben Foster for his 13th goal of the season.
United would have doubled their lead but for a wonder save from Foster to keep out Martial’s fierce shot from six yards after Hornets’ defender Etienne Capoue cleared a corner to him.
Like the opening period, United made a slow and ponderous start to the second half as Watford carved out further chances.
The best came from a Gerard Deulofeu cut back as Pereyra forced a smart save low down by De Gea.
Will Hughes also went close bending a shot narrowly wide after Nemanja Matic lost the ball in his own penalty area.
And a 35-yard drive from substitute Kiko Femenia troubled De Gea.
Action was needed and mid-half Solskjaer made two changes as Mata and Ander Herrera made way for Lingard and Andreas Pereira.
United rode their luck and doubled their lead with 18 minutes left when Martial found the net from Lingard’s cut back.
Martial’s initial back heel was blocked by Foster but, with both player and keeper on then ground, United’s striker was first to his feet to lift the ball into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box, his 12th goal of the season.
Martial became the fourth United player to reach 10 league goals joining Rashford, who earlier in the afternoon also reached double figures, Romelu Lukaku and Pogba. Incredibly the last time that feat was achieved was in 1995/96 though Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
United made their third change moments later when Marcos Rojo replaced Martial.
Solskjaer’s side had to face an anxious finish after Watford halved the deficit in the last minute.
Doucoure exchanged passes with substitute Isaac Success before ghosting through the Watford defence to loft the ball past De Gea.