Matic sees red but Manchester United hold on to halt Watford run

Matic sees red but Manchester United hold on to halt Watford run

Jose Mourinho saw his Manchester United side win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season despite Nemanja Matic’s late red card.

United edged home 2-1 against Watford at Vicarage Road and had David De Gea to thank for a stoppage-time save from Christian Kabasele as the Hornets pushed for a leveller.

The hosts had won all four of their league outings before encountering United, who ended that 100 per cent start thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling. The reply came from Andre Gray.

Chris Smalling fired home an impressive second for Manchester United
Chris Smalling fired home an impressive second for Manchester United (Nigel French/PA)

Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster made a string of saves to keep the scoreline down and Watford gave themselves the chance of salvaging a result through Gray’s second goal of the season.

They came up short though in their quest for an equaliser, despite going close after Matic was dismissed in the final moments.

Jose Mourinho celebrates after the final whistle as Manchester United held on for victory
Jose Mourinho celebrates after the final whistle as Manchester United held on for victory (Nigel French/PA)

And, while Hornets boss Javi Gracia named an unchanged team for the fifth time, Mourinho opted against playing Luke Shaw – the left-back rested completely after suffering concussion when playing for England.

His replacement, former Watford winger Ashley Young, scored twice in a United victory here last season and played his part again.

De Gea made the first telling stop of the evening, tipping a Troy Deeney shot over the crossbar after Smalling was caught out by a long ball.

Troy Deeney went close for Watford
Troy Deeney went close for Watford (Nigel French/PA)

The Chile forward came close again on the half-hour mark, testing Foster with a drive, and United hit the front soon after.

After a free-kick had finally been cleared by the hosts, Young collected the ball and crossed for Lukaku who was free to guide the ball home from close range.

Romelu Lukaku forced the ball home from close range
Romelu Lukaku forced the ball home from close range (Nigel French/PA)

But United would not be made to wait much longer as another Pogba shot from the resulting corner was blocked behind.

This time Young’s corner was sent deep into the box, with Marouane Fellaini’s knock-down skilfully controlled on the chest by Smalling, with the defender then arrowing the ball past Foster from six yards.

Mourinho’s men should have been toasting a third goal on the stroke of half-time but Foster again kept Watford in it, throwing his body in front of Pogba’s close-range strike.

Andre Gray pulled one back for Watford
Andre Gray pulled one back for Watford (Nigel French/PA)

Watford were the livelier of the two sides but were leaving gaps as they chased the game – Foster and Craig Cathcart combining to prevent Sanchez tapping in a breakaway third for United.

De Gea gratefully kept hold of a well-struck Doucoure effort as the game headed into stoppage time, where Matic collected a second yellow card for fouling Will Hughes.

From the resulting free-kick De Gea had to be at his best to turn away Kabasele’s goal-bound header as United held on to claim the points.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –