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The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era at Manchester United finally came to an end, and it ended in the most humiliating fashion. United lost 4-1 to newly promoted Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, which proved to be the final straw for the Norwegian.
In what was another catastrophic display, the Red Devils were rolled over by Claudio Ranieri's spirited Hornets, who secured a memorable victory. Joshua King, Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Bonaventure were among the goals for the hosts. Meanwhile, United captain Harry Maguire saw red for the visitors, piling on the misery for Solskjaer.
It was their fifth defeat of the league campaign, leaving United trailing leaders Chelsea by 12 points and seven points adrift of the top four. With United now seeking a new manager to revive their flagging fortunes, here are five key stats from their humiliating defeat at Watford:
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#5 Harry Maguire gets sent off for the second time
No matter how poor his current form may be, Harry Maguire had never been sent off in his Manchester United career before. But that ended last evening. With a red card in the 4-1 loss to Watford, the ex-Leicester City player was ejected from a game for the first time in 121 games for the club.
It was also only his second-ever sending off. Maguire last saw red in Leicester City colours in March 2019 during a 2-1 win over Burnley. He was sent off in just the fourth minute on that occasion.
#4 Donny van de Beek reprises his Manchester United supersub role
For the first time since netting on his Manchester United debut in September 2020, Donny van de Beek was on target for them again last night. Coincidentally, he' struck both goals after coming off the bench.
Last year, it took him just 13 minutes after being subbed on to get on the scoresheet. Against Watford on Saturday, the Dutchman needed only five. However, both of his goals have come in losing causes - a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace at home and now a 4-1 reverse to Watford on the road.
#3 Manchester United is Joshua King's second favourite team
Joshua King loves scoring against Manchester United. Last night, he scored his fifth goal against them in 11 games. That was his first goal against United in Watford colours, with his four previous strikes coming with Bournemouth.
With 52 goals and 17 assists in 182 Premier League games, Joshua King is an underrated forward, though. But he has a special liking for United. Only against Everton, has he scored more league goals (8).
He has scored eight times in 11 Premier League clashes with the Merseyside outfit. King also loves facing West Ham and Watford. He has five goals apiece against the two EPL teams too in 10 and 14 appearances, respectively.
#2 Manchester United suffer their biggest loss to a promoted team in the Premier League era
The 4-1 loss to Watford last evening was Manchester United's heaviest defeat against a newly promoted side in the Premier League era.
Leicester City (2014), Bournemouth (2015), Norwich City (2015) and Huddersfield (2017) have all managed to beat The Red Devils in their respective first top-flight season. But none were as heavy as The Bees pulled off at the Vicarage Road.
However, The Foxes scored one more than Watford in a memorable 5-3 upset win against United seven years ago.
The Watford defeat was also United heaviest loss to a newly promoted team since losing 5-1 to Manchester City in September 1989. Yes, you read it right. Premier League holders Manchester City.
Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm of Manchester United on that occasion, later calling that loss his most embarrassing result as their manager.
#1 Manchester United endure second-worst start in the Premier League era
Manchester United have played 12 games in the 2021-22 Premier League season, winning and losing five times apiece. They have accumulated only 17 points so far, their second-worst tally at this stage of the competition in the Premier League era.
Only in the 2019-20 season, also under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, did The Red Devils manage to accrue fewer points, garnering only 16 on that occasion. Just for context, even during their torrid campaign under David Moyes, United managed to score 21 points from their opening 12 games of the 2013-14 season.
