EPL 2016-17: Watford 3-1 Manchester United - 5 Talking Points

#3 The problem lies with United’s midfield

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In simple words, the Manchester United midfield remains one of the most unintimidating ones in the league despite the acquisition of costly reinforcements at the club. They were not combative enough, afforded Watford time and space on the ball and failed to provide cover to their centre-backs and had to consequentially pay the heavy price of being on the losing side for the third game in a row.

Neither of Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini provided a solid presence in the middle of the park and were constantly hassled and bullied by the Watford midfield despite their size as well as reputation. The inability to dominate proceedings might be stemming from the lack of enforcers, one who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around and United would be wise to bring a player into that mould into the playing eleven.

Additionally, the midfield has failed to add to the creativity of the side and it was evident until the arrival of Juan Mata in the second half during the game. The side failed to break down the Watford defence and were playing second fiddle for large durations of the game.

For United to reverse the trend, they will need to field a midfield that could do the job in defence as well as attack. At the moment, it is doing neither and the results of the same are out for everyone to see.