Solskjaer doesn’t fear Utd sack ahead of Watford
Manchester United return and the drama surrounding the club is bound to be ramped up as they visit Watford.
Claudio Ranieri’s side will be desperate to grind out a result here in the bid to beat the drop, but nothing short of a victory will do for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he endures intense pressure to save his job.
A humbling 2-0 loss at home to rivals Manchester City in the derby exposed United and demonstrated just how far off the required level they remain. Emile Smith Rowe denied a spirited Watford display at the Emirates, securing a 1-0 win for the Gunners, leaving the Hornets just two points clear of the drop zone.
Solskjaer maintains the pressure coming into the match, with the Red Devils five points off a top-four place and a further four to league leaders Chelsea, can be an advantage: “It’s been a long international break but it’s one that we’ve utilised to our benefit, we feel it’s been a good response from the players and we’re ready for the Watford game. We’ve been through periods like this before. Our away form, we’ve just gone 30-odd games and lost one. Last season we turned it around and went on a run of 20-odd games and one defeat, that’s the kind of run we need to get back. This week we’ve prioritised a few things we have to improve on. Form and performances haven’t been good enough.”
Follow live goal and score updates and build-up from Vicarage Road, including analysis and reaction as the Premier League returns, following the conclusion of Leicester vs Chelsea:
King scores again
Only against Everton (eight) has Watford’s Josh King scored more Premier League goals than he has against Manchester United (five).
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:57
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enters last chance saloon at Manchester United
As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Manchester United squad returned to training this week, the message was very much of a fresh start; of drawing a line for the rest of the season. The break did most good.
The England group are more content. Those left behind got some decent work in.
That’s only most of the squad, though. Cristiano Ronaldo’s mood of disgruntlement continued, as his Portugal team conceded a calamitous late goal against Serbia to lose their last group qualifier and an automatic place at the World Cup.
2-0 down to Watford at half-time in the first game back won’t do his mood any good either:
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:54
Elsewhere in the Premier League
It’s been a first half full of goals. Marc Guehi slotted home three minutes before the end of the first half to give Crystal Palace a 3-2 lead over Burnley.
Here are the half-time scores:
Burnley 2-3 Crystal Palace
Watford 2-0 Manchester United
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:52
Half-time: Watford 2 – 0 Man Utd
45+3 mins: Half-time at Vicarage Road with Watford leading by two goals to nil. David De Gea saved two Ismaila Sarr penalties but Manchester United didn’t learn from their mistakes and they are deservedly behind at half-time.
Josh King and Sarr himself have the goals and Watford will be disappointed that they haven’t scored more.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:49
Watford 2 – 0 Man Utd
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Bruno Fernandes chips a free kick into the box but it’s cleared by Moussa Sissoko. United need to get into the break, they’ve been outclassed in this first half.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:48
GOAL! Watford 2 – 0 Man Utd (Sarr, 44’)⚽️
44 mins: It’s 2-0 now! What a lovely finish this is from Ismaila Sarr who’s made up for those two penalty misses. Cleverly and Femenia combine on the right wing with the right-back cutting the ball into the box. Sarr takes over, checking to the right and blasting a low shot into the far side of the net!
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:44
Watford 1 – 0 Man Utd
42 mins: Save! Man Utd are playing awfully. Watford should be at least two up. The cross comes into the box from the left wing and Josh King is free in the middle of the six-yard box. There’s no-one marking him at all. He has a free header but sends it straight at De Gea who punches it away. A yard either side and it’s 2-0.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:43
GOAL! Newcastle 2 – 2 Brentford ⚽️
39 mins: Joelinton gets into the goalscoring action with a goal for Newcastle at St. James’ Park. That’s 11 goals across six games now all before half-time. Great stuff.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:41
GOAL! Burnley 2 – 2 Crystal Palace ⚽️
36 mins: Turf Moor is the place to be at the minute. Christian Benteke has his second of the game as Palace draw back level. Conor Gallagher shifts away from a tackle from Taylor and slides a pass into the box for Benteke who leaves Pope no chance to stop the shot as the ball flies into the back of the net.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:39
Watford 1 – 0 Man Utd
34 mins: Big chance for Marcus Rashford who takes a shot from just inside the box but is denied by Ben Foster. Watford then fly down the pitch and Sarr weaves into the box. He knocks it back to King who shoots from the front edge of the box and has his effort blocked by Wan-Bissaka.
Manchester United are all at sea when Watford attack with pace.
Michael Jones20 November 2021 15:36