Watford had only won once in the previous 17 Premier League fixtures this season prior to Sunday’s kick-off and are on their third manager of the campaign already. Yet it was the Hornets who emerged as 2-0 victors in the game at Vicarage Road.
The result means that eighth place United have now failed to beat nine of the 11 teams below them in the table that they have played so far. That contrasts with a record that has seen them win against three of the current top four and take points off runaway leaders Liverpool.
“The wins against Spurs and City were great but now they seem pointless with the last two results we've had, because we need to be beating the teams below us as well. We haven't done that,” Shaw admitted in a post-match reflection with Man Utd's official website.
United will now face Newcastle at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Defeat against the Magpies for the second time this season would see the Tynesiders leapfrog United in the table.
They will then finish December and the calendar year by meeting Burnley, the only remaining side Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side haven’t yet faced in 2019/20 – and one who have routinely caused United problems in recent contests.
Solskjaer was less than impressed by what he saw against Watford, suggesting the game had the intensity of a ‘testimonial’, with minimal pace or urgency on display from his players.
The one positive was the return of Paul Pogba after three months out injured, with the Frenchman immediately creating chances when he came off the bench in the second half.
“He added urgency, quality, some great passes. The boy has been working hard. He’s fit and leaner. He’ll bring us a lot. He is important for us. He makes us create more chances,” Solskjaer told Match of the Day after the final whistle.
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Source : 90min