A win and through to the 4th round of the FA Cup but again not an inspiring performance. We started the game really well and played some great football. We took the lead from a corner in the 6th minute when McTominay headed the ball down to bounce into the top corner. Just what we wanted and for the next 10-15 minutes we continued to play nice football and looked like adding to our lead. But for some reason around 25 minutes in we seemed to back off and allowed Watford to make their way back into the game. They caused us some problems particularly down our left side where we had difficulty handling their speed. In the main their chances came from corners and freekicks but l didnt think they made any real chances. We still had enough possession and played quite neat football at times though the bite seemed to have gone. We started the second half quickly again and had 1 or 2 good moves around their area. But we again allowed them into the game without them really creating anything. They then made what l consider to be a really strange decision by taking off Sarr who was causing us problems with his speed. To my mind from that moment on any danger they may have caused us was just about non existent. The game now meandered about with no real shape l think we probably looked the most likely to score though we didnt work the goalkeeper at all. It wasnt a great game but the positives vastly outweighed the negatives. We won the game and advanced to the next round, the vast majority of our preffered first team got a nice rest. In particular Fernandes did not play at all and we won a game without him. Henderson had no real worries Tuanzebe and Bailly coped fairly well though the injury to Bailly was probably the only real negative. Williams had his usual energetic battling game Telles had the most difficult task but stuck at it and was excellent with his corner and free kick delivery. McTominay was the matchwinner and was very good in his role and was my MOTM. Van De Beek was ok but showed nothing to make Ole think he should get more play time. Mata had some good moments and was involved with most of our better interplay. Lingard had some decent involvement and looked as well as at anytime recently, James started very well and looked very dangerous in the first 20 minutes but he faded out of the game. Greenwood didnt get any service and drifted out wide too much for me. Maguire was invaluable in the second half dealing with the crosses and free kicks. The great thing is we should be well rested for the vital next game away to Burnley on Tuesday night in PL. Come on United! 🇾🇪
