After a shaky October in the absence of Paul Pogba, Manchester United have emphatically gotten their Premier League title challenge back on track.
Their 4 – 1 defeat of Newcastle was followed up with a cagey 1 – 0 victory over Brighton at the weekend. On Tuesday, Jose Mourinho’s men once again found that rich vein of goalscoring form at Vicarage Road, where they delivered a masterful 4 – 2 hammering of Watford.
In what was billed as a must-win match for United, the clash with Watford was expected to be a tricky affair. Following a 3 – 1 defeat at the same fixture last term, Mourinho could not afford any slip-ups. To do so would be handing Manchester City the chance of stretching their lead in the Premier League table to an unassailable 11 points.
Instead, the Red Devils travelled south to the outskirts of London and made one hell of a statement.
Leading 3 – 0 at half-time, thanks to a delicious brace from Ashley Young and yet another from in-form Anthony Martial, fans smelled a drubbing for the home side and were quick to gloat online.
United have had five shots on target and scored three. Martial and Lindelof playing well. Looked a tricky game but they're cruising.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) November 28, 2017
Now that Manchester United are 3 nil up, watch Lukaku score a tap-in and open his hands like he's found a cure for cancer
— Ali 🇬🇭 (@TheBeardedRauI) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/PeoplesPerson_/status/935611614497304576
What a performance by @ManUtd in the first half!💪🏻🔝 @youngy18 – amazing!
Now just relax and enjoy it, boys! #MUFC #WATMUN— SvyatoslavKalishchuk (@SKalishchuk) November 28, 2017
The second half saw United fans purring, yet hoping their side could see out the victory and not do a ‘Liverpool’ and throw away a 3 – 0 lead, as they did against Sevilla in the Champions League last week.
More of the same please #Mufc
— akviba ✪ (@iam_veecent) November 28, 2017
Much better from United so far tonight, as long as we see it out #MUFC #WATMUN
— Paul Woodbridge (@Voodersh1) November 28, 2017
Fans need not have worried, however, as United showed not only their formidable scoring arsenal but also the experience to manage a lead and shut out an, up until now, dangerous Watford side.
Late on Marcus Rojo reminding fans of just how clumsy he can be, by conceding a penalty late on. Drawing one back, the home side went looking for more and managed a second after 84 minutes.
Rather than settle for a cagey finish, however, Jesse Lingard stepped up an shut down any notions of a Watford comeback, slotting home United’s fourth and securing all three points.
The fans were also dutifully impressed.
WOW!!! That's the way to close off a game!! #MUFC
— Terence Pereira (@terencedesigner) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/cloudxten/status/935625370686099458
Oh my @JesseLingard! What A Goal! 👏👏 What a time for it! #MUFC
— Dave Jones (@cestrianero) November 28, 2017
With strong performances throughout the side, United fans can once again dare to dream that their Premier League hopes are not yet over.
Now only five points behind Pepe Guardiola’s Manchester City, though with one game more played, United are pulling away from the rest and turning the league into a two-horse race.
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On this week’s Irish Football podcast, we chat with David Cawley following his move to Sligo Rovers from Galway Utd.
https://soundcloud.com/punditarenairishfootball/we-chat-to-david-cawley-following-his-move-to-sligo-rovers-from-galway-utd
Read More About: anthony martial, ashley young brace, Football, jose mourinho, Man United, Man Utd, Manchester City, Manchester United, manchester united premier league title, Paul Pogba, Premier League, watford v manchester united
