Premier League 2018-19, Manchester United 2-1 Watford: 3 things we learned

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United's permanent manager started with a win as his side got past resolute Watford side in a game which was crucial for their top four ambitions in the EPL this season. The 2-1 scoreline doesn't tell the whole story as Manchester United were second best for most of the game. Watford started the game very well and dominated possession for the first 10 minutes. United's midfield looked non-existent and was unable to keep hold of the ball. Abdoulaye Doucoure was presented with the first opportunity of the match which he was unable to capitalise upon. Thereafter, Manchester United grew into the game and in the 28th minute, Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for the Red Devils with a brilliant dink over the Watford goalkeeper from a brilliant Luke Shaw through ball which split the Watford defence. Anthony Martial came close to doubling Manchester United's lead but was denied by Ben Foster in the Watford goal.

In the second half, Watford dominated the proceedings as they did in the first-half and Manchester United players struggled to get a touch on the ball. Watford looked like the team to score the next goal and created numerous opportunities but failed to score a single one of them. Anthony Martial finally got himself on the scoresheet and doubled Manchester United's advantage in the 73rd minute. Watford did get the much-deserved goal in the 90th minute as Doucoure didn't make any mistake this time and put the ball past David De Gea after a brilliant move. But the goal came too late for Watford and they ended up being the losing side after 90 minutes.

Here are 3 things we learnt from the game.

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#1 Watford was better than Manchester United

Manchester United v Watford FC - Premier League

Javi Garcia and his players will be gutted with that result. They were the much better side for the majority of the game and created much more opportunities to score than their opponents, but their poor finishing let them down. Watford switched to a narrow 4-2-2-2 and switched to a traditional 4-4-2 while attacking, with Will Hughes and Ricardo Pereyra providing the width and exploited the space behind the full-backs perfectly, creating numerous opportunities from these situations. Watford had 20 shots to Manchester United's eight, eight of which were on-target which exhibit their dominance in the game. As a whole, they looked much better than Solskjaer's side, but less clinical.

#2 Watford completely dominated Manchester United in the middle of the park

Manchester United's Paul Pogba struggled in midfield against Watford

Watford's midfield completely dominated the middle of the park against Manchester United. Javi Garcia started with four midfielders in the middle which gave them numerical superiority in that area of the pitch. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue played as deep-lying midfielders while Will Hughes and Ricardo Pereyra played in a more attacking role. They switched to a narrow midfield four while defending and almost played in a 4-2-2-2 formation, which made it difficult for Manchester United to play in the middle of the park. Manchester United's midfield trio of Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, and Nemanja Matic were not allowed to dictate the play and was forced into mistakes by continuous pressure from Watford midfielders. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quick to notice that his team was struggling and tasked Juan Mata into the midfield which did help Manchester United come back into the match in the first half.

#3 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned Marcus Rashford into a much better finisher

Marcus Rashford's finishing has drastically improved under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Jose Mourhino was caught on camera shaking his head in despair on the touchline when Marcus Rashford missed a simple opportunity against Young Boys in the Champions League when he came one-on-one with the goalkeeper but scruffed the ball over the net. Fast-forwarding three months, Marcus Rashford found himself in a similar position against Watford yesterday, but this time, he put his ghosts of the pasts behind him and brilliantly passed the ball into the back of the net as he went past Ben Foster. The Norwegian vowed to turn Marcus Rashford into a better finisher when he arrived and that finish yesterday exhibited how much work Solskjaer has put into the youngster's finishing on the training pitch. Marcus Rashford looks much more composed in front of goal since the arrival of the Norwegian.