Manchester United’s woeful week continued after they fell to a 3rd consecutive defeat in 8 days, this time at the hands of Walter Mazzarri’s Watford. The 3-1 win at Vicarage road was also Watford’s first victory in the Premier League over the Red Devils.
Etienne Capoue, who is in a rich vein of form, opened the scoring in the first half by expertly steering home a cutback before Marcus Rashford equalised for United. But super-sub Juan Zuniga scored late on to fire the Hornets ahead and stun Jose Mourinho’s side which was in the ascendancy at that point.
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Juan Zuniga won a penalty in injury time which was emphatically converted by Troy Deeney as Manchester United fell 6 points behind league leaders Manchester City. Here’s how each player fared in the match.
Watford
Huerelho Gomes – 7/10
The Brazilian was solid and most notably produced a vital save from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 2nd half header that looked set to go in. He commanded his area quite well and did well to claim or punch out aerial balls into the box.
Jose Holebas – 7/10
Holebas worked hard at left wing-back for Watford and was an ever present outlet whenever Watford tried to break out. He was instrumental in nullifying the threat of United’s wing play. An impressive performance from the Greece international.
Miguel Britos – 6/10
Britos did well as part of a 3-man defence but grew tired as the game went on and committed mistakes. But he played a part in the opening goal by robbing Martial which allowed Janmaat to find Capoue.
Sebastian Prodl – 8/10
The Austrian was inspirational in defence, winning aerial balls and providing a rock-like presence at the back. He took on the mantle of keeping Ibrahimovic quiet and succeeded to an extent.
Craig Cathcart – 7/10
Cathcart put in a terrific shift at the back for the Hornets and was generally their best defender. His distribution out of the back was also impeccable.
Daryl Janmaat – 8/10
A thoroughly brilliant performance from the Dutch wingback today, highlighted by his cutback for Capoue to net the opening goal. His delivery from the right wing was threatening throughout. He was unlucky to be injured at the start of the 2nd half.
Etienne Capoue – 8/10
The former Tottenham man continued his superb start to the season by netting his 4th goal in 5 matches. He was extremely tidy in possession and closed down United’s attackers with vigour.
Valon Behrami – 6/10
It was his failure to react which led to United’s equaliser as the cross ricocheted off him for Rashford to convert. But he was generally a livewire in midfield.
Roberto Pereyra - 6/10
A willing runner, Pereyra was everywhere for Watford and made his presence known down the right wing. He did brilliantly to provide the assist for Zuniga’s late winner.
Odion Ighalo – 6/10
The Nigerian had a moment to forget early on when he missed an open goal after De Gea and Smalling collided but he kept working the channels and kept United’s defenders occupied.
Troy Deeney – 8/10
Deeney put in a true captain’s performance. He was everywhere – helping defenders out, retrieving balls and generally was a pain for United to deal with. Deservingly, he capped the game with an emphatic penalty.
Substitutes
Nordin Amrabat – 6/10
Amrabat came on for the injured Daryl Janmaat and was steady if not spectacular. His work rate was impressive though, providing an outlet down the right wing.
Juan Zuniga – 8/10
Zuniga was introduced with 7 minutes left to play and he made an instant impact with a delightful finish to the far corner when presented with the opportunity. Super Sub.
Isaac Success – 6/10
Success was introduced in injury time but he went on to make a mark by embarking on a mazy run down the left which led to Zuniga winning the penalty.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 6/10
He was involved in a collision with Smalling which gave Ighalo a chance to score which he didn’t take early on. The Spaniard produced a brilliant save to deny Deeney in the first half but should have done better with Capoue’s goal after getting a leg to it.
Luke Shaw – 7/10
Shaw was pretty much steady in defence though did not contribute much in attack. He displayed the abundance of pace he had on occasions and was sacrificed in the 2nd half as United chased the game.
Chris Smalling – 5/10
First start of the season was an extremely poor one for Chris Smalling as he failed to deal with the physicality of Deeney and Ighalo. He was involved in a mix-up with De Gea that should have seen Ighalo score.
Eric Bailly – 5/10
The Ivorian put in his worst display in a United shirt tonight. He flew into ill-advised challenges and was often caught out of position. Bailly badly needs to improve his decision-making.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
Valencia, as always, was a willing runner for United down the right wing though his deliveries could be far far better. He was replaced in the 2nd half as Mourinho looked for more attacking options.
Marouane Fellaini – 6/10
The big Belgian was steady in his role as deepest midfielder and did his primary job to an extent. He lacked the poise and vision to influence a game outright and ended up conceding a penalty late on.
Paul Pogba – 6/10
It was a much-improved performance from the most expensive player in the world after the midweek Feyenoord game. He thumped a vicious shot against the crossbar in the 1st half and saw a lot of the ball. But he could not make a telling contribution in the final third. He has to improve a lot to justify his price tag.
Anthony Martial – 5/10
A forgettable 38 minutes for the mercurial Frenchman. He was involved in a head-on collision with Janmaat and looked dazed for a bit. Subsequently, he lost the ball in a dangerous area which led to Watford’s first goal.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
A forgettable first half display from the United captain as he struggled to make his mark as part of a midfield 3. He looked off the pace and lost the ball on numerous occasions. Though Rooney grew into the game in the 2nd half, his set piece deliveries left a lot to be desired.
Marcus Rashford – 7/10
Rashford was probably United’s best player on the night, belying his tender years. He was quick, direct and skilful with his running and deservedly got the equaliser.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 6/10
Zlatan did well in linking up with Rashford for United’s equaliser and saw a goal-bound header saved by Gomes. But the Swede missed 2 sitters by his standards in the first half which he should have converted.
Substitutes
Ashley Young – 6/10
He was brought on for Martial in the 1st half. Young’s work rate could not be faulted but he lacked that decisive quality to make a difference in such games. This was not a compelling display from him by any means.
Juan Mata – 6/10
Mata was brought on for Valencia past the hour mark but failed dismally to impact the match.
Memphis Depay – N/A
The Dutchman came on late as United chased an equaliser. He had little chance to impact the game but managed to pick up a booking.
