MANCHESTER UNITED are back in Premier League action as they welcome strugglers Watford to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will be breathing a huge sigh of relief having scraped a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday.
But they’ll be hoping for an easier ride when they host the 19th placed Hornets who come into this fixture off the back of a 4-1 pummelling courtesy of Crystal Palace.
Manchester United are unbeaten in the league since the embarrassing home defeat to Wolves at the start of the year.
But the Hornets currently hold the bragging rights because Watford got the better of the 13x Premier League winners earlier on this season.
- Kick-off time: 3pm
- UK TV channel: N/a
- US TV channel and live stream: NBC Sports
- Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Fernandes, Matic, Fred, Pogba; Elanga, Ronaldo.
- Watford XI: Foster; Ngakia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Louza, Cleverley, Sissoko; Sarr, King, Dennis.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
48. Wow! Anthony Elanga is quick!
The Manchester United showed a sublime turn of pace on the wing, flying past Hassane Kamara before trying to pick out a teammate in the box.
Unfortunately, Craig Cathcart was well positioned to deal with the danger but that was positive from Elanga.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford – That is a chance!
46. The Red Devils have come flying out the blocks as they construct a move which ends up with a Cristiano Ronaldo header.
However, unlike a lot of other moments in his illustrious career, the Portuguese icon couldn’t direct his shot on target.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
45. As expected, there are no substitutions to inform you about but both teams will be hoping that there can be a positive change in the score-line.
Second half – Man Utd 0-0 Watford
We are reporting live again from Old Trafford ladies and gentleman.
The final 45 is up and running!
First 45 description through stats
As previously mentioned, the Red Devils annihilated their visitors in that first 45 minutes but what is more disappointing than not getting a goal is their tally of shots off target.
Nine out of ten!
The attackers need to get their shooting boots on and fast.
Rundown of the opening half
How Manchester United are not ahead in this game is beyond me.
The Red Devils have been in complete control since the opening whistle but they just couldn’t take the lead.
They did have the ball in the back of the net through Cristiano Ronaldo, however, the Portuguese icon couldn’t hold his run which is so unlike him.
Ralf Rangnick will be urging his players to keep up the momentum because a goal will come, but you get the feeling that the longer it takes, the more nervy Old Trafford will start to feel.
Looking forward to the second half.
Nothing to separate the sides
All square as we enter the half-way stage of the match.
Credit: @ManUtd Half time – Man Utd 0-0 Watford
Manchester United have completely dominated that first 45 and had they have been more clinical in front of goal, the Red Devils would have been out of sight.
The real question is, how long can Watford sustain this amount of pressure for?
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
45+1. The Hornets are camped in their half at the moment and not allowing any room for the Red Devils to cause a threat.
Roy Hodgson’s game plan has been executed to perfection so far.
One minute of stoppage time has been added
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
41. Spot on from the referee.
Replays have showed that Craig Cathcart got good contact on the ball before Anthony Elanga went toppling over.
No penalty was the right decision.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford – Penalty appeal!
40. Craig Cathcart seemed to have caught Anthony Elanga in the box which left the Manchester United youngster in a heap.
The crowd are going wild because Kevin Friend has waved play on but VAR will have a quick check.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford – OOO so close!
36. To the surprise of the Watford wall, Alex Telles was the nominated free-kick taker and his effort was inches from rustling in the back of the net.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
36. Free-kick time!
Paul Pogba has just won a set-piece about 25-yards-out, slightly to the right of the goal.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped away from it. I repeat, Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped away from it.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
35. Ten minuts plus stoppage time to go until the interval and if it stays like this, Roy Hodgson will be a happy man.
As for Ralf Rangnick, he’ll be satisfied that United are dominating but the Red Devils boss will be frustrated that his side are not out of sight.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
33. Fernandes steps up and…
Moussa Sissoko puts his body on the line before getting it clear so the Hornets survive for now.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
32. This could be interesting.
Emmanuel Dennis has recklessly fouled Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right hand side of the box which is perfect for a Bruno Fernandes delivery.
Will United finally get the breakthrough?
He’s beginning to bru up
Bruno Fernandes has missed multiple chances this half and it is starting to frustrate the Portuguese international.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford – Another chance squandered!
25. Paul Pogba’s deflected pass managed to find its way through to Cristano Ronaldo.
But an oncoming Ben Foster forced the Portuguese international to push it widely round him.
Ronaldo thought about the shot from an incredibly tight angle, however, he opted to cross the ball to the back-post instead.
And Bruno Fernandes who was in acres of space, was unable to keep his header on target.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
23. Manchester United have lost their way a little bit after such a bright start to the game.
Credit to Watford who have somehow got through the first 20 minutes unscathed.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
22. The Hornets are finally beginning to build up some momentum as to the delight of Roy Hodgson.
But the more they go forward, the easier it will be for United to pick them off at the back.
It’s a real dilemma at the moment.
Should of held your Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo agonisingly sees the offside flag go up to deny him of his customary goal.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford – What a chance!
19. Pogba delivered an absolute peach of a ball which landed directly on the right boot of Bruno Fernandes.
However, the Portuguese international didn’t open up his body enough which resulted in his effort going wide of the mark.
The Red Devils should be at least a couple of goals to the good.
Man Utd 0-0 Watford
15. It was lovely build up play from United, but it was a shame that Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to hold his run.
That is a massive wake up call to the Hornets who have been pressed back in their half for the entire game.
No goal! Correctly ruled out for offside!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
