February 27, (THEWILL) – A wasteful Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Watford at Old Trafford in the Premier League, and will view the result as a loss of two points after controlling the game from start to finish and taking 22 shots without scoring.
But, it is crucial at this juncture in Watford’s fight for survival. THEWILL recalls that the 4-1 victory for Watford in their meeting in November was the final nail in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coffin.
Ralf Rangnick’s United had a much stronger start this time and came close to scoring early on when Cristiano Ronaldo hit the inside of the post.
The legendary Portuguese forward did put the ball in the net 15 minutes in, but was denied by an offside flag, while Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes had two wonderful chances in the first quarter of the game – one that prompted an excellent Ben Foster save and the other that went wide.
Old Trafford held its collective breath as Elanga put Ronaldo through, anticipating the net to ripple. Foster forced the 37-year-old wide, and his cross into the middle was headed over by Fernandes, who could easily have scored a hat-trick in the first half hour with better finishing than he delivered.
United misses continued as Alex Telles’ free-kick flew just wide before there were penalty shouts from the United half when Elanga went down under the push of Craig Cathcart, one of four Watford stars facing his former side, but the game remained goalless at the break.
Hassane Kamara bundled over Ronaldo early in the second half, but referee Kevin Friend refrained from awarding a penalty. Paul Pogba and Elanga combined nicely moments later, with the young Swede hitting wide instead of on target. And, Foster pounced on another Ronaldo effort later on.
Watford, meanwhile, after having the door slammed in their faces throughout the first half, began to improve a bit more going forward with the introduction of Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis.
Rangnick made two attacking changes in an attempt to win the game, leaving Pogba as the sole holding midfielder, effectively working behind five strikers. Despite the potential overload up front, United were unable to convert their chances, as a tenacious Watford defended well.
As the clock ticked towards stoppage time, substitute Jadon Sancho fizzed a curler narrowly past the far post, before a last Fernandes drive ended up straight at Foster, who gratefully grabbed the ball to his chest to hold for a goalless stalemate.
The result means United remain in fourth place in the Premier League rankings, but they miss out on extending their lead over Arsenal, who are only two points behind them with three games in hand due largely to wastefulness. Rangnick’s team had 22 shots, but only three of them were on target.
United’s seeming inability to beat smaller opponents could cost them this season. Their chances of finishing in the top four slim out each time they lose to weaker opponents. They will only have to hope Arsenal does not take advantage at this point.
Watford also remain in the same position, 19th place, but have gained confidence and belief that they can avoid relegation.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
