MANCHESTER UNITED trickled into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a drab 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay’s early header was enough to secure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men a spot in Monday’s draw.
- RESULT: Man Utd 1-0 Watford
- Man Utd XI: Henderson, Telles, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Williams, Lingard, Willianms, Van de Beek, McTominay, James, Greenwood
- Watford XI: Bachmann, Navarro, Sierralta, Troost-Ekong, Masina, Sarr, Chalobah, Hughes, Zinckernagel, Joao Pedro, Gray
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THAT’S ALL FROM OLD TRAFFORD
Manchester United bounced back from Wednesday’s disappointment to seal their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory of Watford.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a host of changes to his starting line-up, he kept faith with one outfield player in the heart of his midfield.
Wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, Scott McTominay rose to the challenge – and rose highest to head in the game’s only goal after just five minutes.
Yet, after an impressive opening quarter, Solskjaer’s stand-ins faded and offered Watford a glimpse of causing a cup shock.
However, in a tie littered with poorly-executed free-kicks, neither side could find the game’s second goal.
So while it’s United that progress, both clubs will be pleased just to get through the tie unscathed, and will now return to the main focus of their seasons.
For Watford, that means success in the Championship and sealing an immediate return to the Premier League.
For United, that means knocking Liverpool off their perch.
Thanks for reading and goodnight.
SOLSKJAER SPEAKS
Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer has reacted to his side’s victory this evening, praised the performance of his stand-in captain and issued an update on Eric Bailly’s injury.
“I’m delighted we are through. I told them I didn’t expect to start like a house on fire, I expected them to grow into the game, but the opposite happened. We played some very good stuff, created chances and then we let them back into the game.
The most important thing in the cup is that you go through so everyone will be happy, but the first 15-20 minutes were the highlights of our game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
“Scott [McTominay] has had a very good season. He’s being more and more dangerous, we know he can be a box-to-box midfielder. He should have scored a few more on set-plays before now because he is a monster of a human being. I am very happy he got the goal.
“[Eric Bailly had] no concussion, he had a sore neck. He couldn’t carry on so we’ll check on him tomorrow.”
GIANTS PROGRESS
Manchester United have avoided a giant killing this evening – as is their wont.
CAPTAIN SCOTT
Scott McTominay has been speaking of his pride at captaining Manchester United, and his relief at getting the job despite a below-par second half.
“We started really well and for the first half hour we were really good. And then we didn’t find it after that. In the second half, we didn’t play anywhere near to our level.
“For the boys coming into the team, it’s difficult. They haven’t played for a long time.
When the manager told me [I was captain], it was a surreal moment. I’ve been at this club since I was five-years-old so it’s a huge honour. I love this football club and it’s been my whole life.
Scott McTominay
“We have a lot of variations from set-pieces, but I need to start scoring a lot more headers, I’m six foot three.
“It’s a squad game so I’m sure there’ll be changes on Tuesday, and then changes again for Liverpool.”
GREAT SCOTT
He captained Manchester United for the first time this evening, scored the only goal of the game, and received BT Sport’s Man of the Match award. Scott McTominay continues to blossom in the Red Devils’ midfield.
FT: MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
It’s victory for the Premier League side as Scott McTominay’s early header saw off Watford of the Championship at Old Trafford. The Manchester United midfielder began the night as his side’s captain, was the best player on the pitch and netted the only goal of the game.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AT OLD TRAFFORD!MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
90+4. On the subject of rubbish free-kicks, Navarro has just punted Watford’s last chance into Martial’s one-man wall.
Xisco Munoz should fine him a week’s wages.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
90+3. Mata! Curler! Over!
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
90+2. Martial wins a free-kick in the Watford half, and the home side will take their time.
It’s eventually played short with Martial involved again. He combines with Mata with the Spaniard ultimately trying to squirm through the Watford defence to no avail.
However, Andy Madley pulls the play back and awards the home side a free-kick 25 yards from goal.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
90. An aimless ball upfield from Williams travels through to Bachmann. In fairness to the young full-back, if Martial had done more than look at the pass it might not have been described as aimless.
Meanwhile, four added minutes are signalled by the fourth official.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
88. Hungbo has certainly put himself about since his introduction and now he wins a free-kick off Matic, near the touchline and in the final third.
Matic, meanwhile, pleads his innocence to the referee, but he needn’t have worry. Sema’s delivery is straight into the hands of Henderson.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
85. Do the Hornets have a sting in their tail? Their youngsters are trying to to find the goal that will force extra-time, and Hungbo is the latest to have a go.
The substitute cuts inside on the counter before his strike nicks off Maguire’s outstretched leg and goes behind.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
83. In trying to keep pace with Rashford, Nathaniel Chalobah appears to have tweaked his hamstring.
The Watford captain immediately signals to the bench before hobbling to the touchline. The armband is passed to Will Hughes as 19-year-old Daniel Phillips enters the fray.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
81. United fail to put the tie to bed with two quickfire chances.
First, Maguire fails to direct his header on target following a lovely delivery from Alex Telles, and then Rashford slammed a shot straight at Bachmann after a weaving run.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
78. Nemanja Matic is coming on for Jesse Lingard which should tell you a lot about how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is preparing to tackle these final 12 minutes.
It should also tell you that Lingard’s time at Manchester United won’t last much longer.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
76. Another double switch from the Championship outfit.. Philip Zinckernagel’s Watford debut is over and he’s replaced by young Joseph Hungbo. Also off is William Troost-Ekong with Ben Wilmot taking over in defence.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
74. Watford come again and it requires another thumping header from Maguire to repel an attack, and then excellent tracking from McTominay to deny Zinckernagel the opportunity to cross.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
73. Sema looks to curl a wicked cross towards the back post but overhits his delivery and ends up setting the set-piece behind for a goalkick.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
72. It’s an all Brazilian affair as Alex Telles trips Joao Pedro on the right wing.
It’s a booking for the United left-back, and another dangerous free-kick to Watford.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
70. Two Watford corners in quick succession, taken by substitute Sema, are cleared at the near post by Maguire and then Rashford.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
68. The double change is made with Rashford and Martial on for James and Greenwood.
James has arguably been United’s brightest performer this evening, particularly from an attacking perspective.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
67. Here come the cavalry! Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are stripped and receiving their final instructions.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
65. A yellow card for Tuanzebe for kicking the ball away as Watford looked to take a quick set-piece. A very 1998 reason for receiving a booking.
MAN UTD 1-0 WATFORD
64. United are struggling to kill off Watford here to such an extent that even the artificial crowd noise that BT Sport are piping in appears to be that of a stadium growing restless.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
