Ashley Young struck twice against former club Watford as Manchester United won a thrilling contest at Vicarage Road to close to within five points of leaders Manchester City.
With City not in action until Wednesday evening, Jose Mourinho’s side had a chance to put some pressure on the title favourites and did so as they eventually ran out 4-2 winners in Hertfordshire.
Young scored two sublime goals in quick succession, with Anthony Martial adding a third as United seemingly wrapped up three points before the interval. Watford rallied, however, with Troy Deeney pulling one back from the penalty spot before Abdoulaye Doucoure turned home with six minutes remaining. A fine solo strike from Jesse Lingard assured United of victory and three points which could prove vital come the end of the season.
Ashley Young
What they said
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho told BT Sport: “It was an easy match to win comfortably, in the last minutes we should be smoking a cigar, but in the end it is three points. We had chances for four, five and six (goals). I think the players had the feeling that it was too easy and the game was over. Then they (Watford) reacted, scored the penalty and that gave them the belief. The teams in mid-table have quality and no pressure, they don’t feel the pressure the teams with other objectives have so they came with everything.” Watford boss Marco Silva said: “It is a hard result for us, we started very well in the match. We controlled the opponent well and in that moment the game is really balanced. We put two or three dangerous crosses into the box. They went three times in our box in 10 minutes and scored three goals. We started well and no-one expected what happened in those moments. We knew before the match that United is very strong on the counter-attack and it is clear for me that after the first goals I think our players were a little bit nervous and anxious and the third goal is a good example.”
Tweet of the match
Star man – Ashley Young
The ex-Hornets wideman thought he had scored his first league goal since May 2016 against Brighton on Saturday, only to have it ruled an own-goal. There was no doubting the two belters he scored here.
Moment of the match
Young stood over a free-kick 25 yards out and whipped in a ferocious curler which flew into the top corner giving Heurelho Gomes no chance. It was one straight from the David Beckham handbook of old.
Data point
United’s tally of 32 points after 14 games is their highest in five seasons since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ratings
Watford: Heurelho Gomes 6, Adrian Mariappa 5, Sebastien Prodl 6, Christian Kabasele 5, Kiko Femenia 6, Tom Cleverley 6, Abdoulaye Doucoure 7, Marvin Zeegelaar 6, Will Hughes 5, Richarlison 6, Andre Gray 5. Substitutes: Roberto Pereyra (for Prodl, 58) 6, Andre Carrillo (for Hughes, 58) 6, Troy Deeney (for Gray, 71) 6.
Manchester United: David De Gea 7, Antonio Valencia 7, Victor Lindelof 7, Chris Smalling 6, Marcos Rojo 6, Ashley Young 8, Nemanja Matic 7, Paul Pogba 7, Jesse Lingard 7, Romelu Lukaku 6, Anthony Martial 7. Substitutes: Ander Herrera (for Matic, 54) 6, Marcus Rashford (for Martial, 64) 6, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (for Lingard, 87) 6.
Who’s up next?
Watford v Tottenham (Premier League, Saturday December 2)
Arsenal v Man United (Premier League, Saturday December 2)
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.