Manchester United played their second-best game of the season where Watford faced the Devils’ wrath only to an extent that would witness them coming out of hell unscathed. Before entering into a vortex of entropy that would start from next week featuring, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid.
Right since the word go, Rangnick’s men fired on all cylinders as the Hornets barely kept themselves steady in the face of a tempestuous United. Bruno Fernandes can easily be inculpated for being the prodigal son of the night as he himself could have bagged a hat-trick. Ronaldo could have also landed himself a brace but the woodwork played a major spoilsport.
As early as in the fourth minute, Cristiano Ronaldo carved himself a golden opportunity with a sumptuous first touch that killed the pace off the ball and left the Watford defenders gaping in awe as his resultant shot clattered onto the woodwork.
United was gifted another golden opportunity as the trio of Fernandes, Elanga and Ronaldo crafted a gilt-edged opportunity chance before Fernandes bundled his effort meekly into an onrushing Foster.
It simply seemed to be a disappointing night for Fernandes whose efforts would not just go into the net. Elanga and Wan Bissaka combined brilliantly to feed him a delectable cross while his effort went agonizingly wide.
Another golden opportunity fell in their path as Ronaldo outpaced his marker to curl in a precious ball for a transcending Bruno Fernandes whose effort sailed over the woodwork from point-blank range.
The injection of Jadon Sancho in the mix opened up further chances for the hosts as the left-wing started getting a lot more active but the glaring profligacy continued as the Devils collapsed into the lap of another frustrating draw, this time with more noise whatsoever.
In a quick glance at today’s encounters, let us quickly take a look at the three best-rated players for Manchester United.
#1 Anthony Elanga
With every passing game, the youngster has been evolving into a much more mature player as he is slowly being transcended into the league of elites. After a fine finish against Atletico Madrid, he came up with a solid run against Watford as his blistering sprints down the right mingled with his deft dribbles made life a living hell for the Hornets. Only if the United players could have finished what he started, Manchester United could have comfortably walked out with three points.
#2 Victor Lindelof
The United rearguard didn’t really have to do much on the night but whatever fragmented forays the Hornets managed to pump out, the Swede was equally brilliant to the task, staving them away without much ado. Rangnick’s reign has seen the Swedish skipper come of age and commit fewer howlers than usual. It will take time for him to get used to United’s attitude of perfection but it feels good to see him thrive after a warring phase.
#3 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has been in sensational form ever since his return barring the game at Metropolitano. He has been a crucial figure at stitching important passes ahead and his long balls have always left the opposition with one more thing to worry about. Pogba’s efforts in the middle have seen the attacking intent manifold itself. He has somehow forged perfect chemistry with the marauding runs of Ronaldo while Elanga, Sancho and Rashford have been gauging his weight on the balls perfectly. His nifty twist and turns left the Watford defenders in too much pain but once again lack of a killer touch in the final third left United reeling.
