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When Solskjaer took his place in the Old Trafford dugout on Saturday, it was a historic moment for the man. He has been confirmed as the permanent manager for the Red Devils a couple of days ago and it was his first game in charge as the Gaffer. However, United did not show the performance that the Norwegian would have liked on the field.
Against a Watford team who looked buoyant and ready for United, Solskjaer's men were lazy at the start. The away side came at them with full force and United had to withstand a steady onslaught in the opening stages. The Norwegian made a few tactical changes that helped United get their footing in the game and soon enough, United were ahead, thanks to Marcus Rashford.
In the second half, Watford continued to knock at the door and threatened to score. United's midfielders had a forgettable outing and almost cost their side the game. Martial scored United's second in the 72nd minute, however, Watford got a goal back in the 90th minute. But United held on and secured a vital win.
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Even though the performance of his midfielders will have him worried, Solskjaer will be thankful to these 5 men for all three points.
#5 Phil Jones
The Englishman was brought in to replace Victor Lindelof, who was away on personal leave. His name in the team list might have raised quite a lot of eyebrows, but in truth, he was one of the best players on the pitch.
Jones was stellar at the back and complimented Smalling very well on the pitch. He might not have the ball playing abilities of Lindelof, but the Englishman makes up for it by his desire and bravery. Against Watford, the United defense got a very little cover from their midfield, but Jones was extremely alert and ensured that United were never caught out.
The Englishman was strong in his challenges and quick out of his line. He closed down the gaps well and was quite vocal from the back. Even though United failed to keep a clean sheet, Phil Jones was instrumental in keeping Watford largely at bay.
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#4 Juan Mata
The Spaniard started the game from the right and looked lost for the opening 15 minutes. Mata rarely got on the ball and was largely isolated because United were overrun in the midfield. When Solskjaer shifted him to the false 9 role, the Spaniard found his footing and helped United get a grip on the game.
His positioning in the middle helped United nullify Watford's advantage in the middle of the park. With Pogba having an off day, Mata took responsibility and started putting together passes that helped United get back into the game. Watford had no answer for his clever movements, which caused the defense and midfield all sorts of trouble.
The Spaniard started operating in the space left open by the away side in between defense and midfield. From here, Mata threaded passes to Rashford and Martial. He brought Pogba into the game and switched play with ease. Ultimately, United rode the momentum gained from his passes to win the game.
#3 Anthony Martial
The Frenchman did not have the best of games but still managed to unsettle the Watford defense with his speed and trickery. Martial should have scored at least one more goal when the ball fell to him with the goal at his mercy. However, the Frenchman hit a left footed shot straight at Ben Foster and the chance was gone.
But Martial was relentless with his efforts and did not get disheartened. He continuously ran into the box from the left and even switched places with Rashford to pop up from the right at times.
In the 72nd minute, Martial had his moment of the game. He started the move and then got to the end of the pass from Lingard. Though he was crowded out in the box, he put the ball in the back of the net. It proved to be the winner and helped United get all three points.
#2 Marcus Rashford
The Englishman started in the No. 9 role but looked isolated in the opening stages of the game. That was when Solskjaer decided to opt for a False 9 and put Martial and Rashford on either side of Mata. With a proper No. 10 feeding him, the Englishman began running at the defense with intent.
Rashford's combination of speed and trickery can unsettle the best of defenses. But his biggest threat comes from counter attacks. And this was exactly how he helped break the deadlock in the 28th minute.
Holding on to a glorious ball from Luke Shaw, Rashford ran beyond the Watford defense and noticed Foster out of his line. The Englishman then had the presence of mind to life the ball beyond the onrushing keeper and into the far corner.
United took control of the game after his goal and never let go of the reins. Rashford continued to threaten the opposition with his movement and speed. And United used the advantage gained from his fine finishing to win the game.
#1 Luke Shaw
It is not always that a defender becomes the man of the match when two forwards have scored the goals. But such was Luke Shaw's impact on the game that he is our pick of the players on the day.
The Englishman started as the left-back, a role he has sealed under Solskjaer and was solid at the back. Shaw got his tackles right, recovered the ball well and even covered for his center backs. His speed and presence of mind is an asset in this back four, and he helped United deal with the absence of Lindelof.
But it is when Shaw ventures forward that he truly opens up and adds a new dimension to United's game. On and on he ran down the wings, tireless combining with Martial to cause Watford all sorts of trouble. And in the 28th minute, he gave the Old Trafford crowd a moment to remember.
Under another onslaught from Watford, Shaw won back the ball near his box and immediately ventured forward. The away team were caught out of position and Martial was ahead of the Englishman ready for the pass. But Shaw spotted Rashford's clever run on the far side and unleashed a defense-splitting pass that would make Pogba proud. The ball was weighed to perfection and Rashford finished to give United the lead.
