Cristiano Ronaldo exemplified Manchester United’s problems again as the Red Devils played out a goalless draw with Watford on Saturday.
It has become a running theme for Manchester United’s matches under Ralf Rangnick, and for the umpteenth time, Manchester United created chances galore only to leave their shooting boots at home. Bruno Fernandes was guilty of spurning the best openings in the first half, with two brilliant opportunities going begging.
Several United players fluffed their lines throughout the game, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing several chances to end his slump. The in-form Anthony Elanga also had one brilliant opening falling his way, only for him to direct his shot off target inexplicably. At the opposite end, Watford threatened on the counter but could not find a way to trouble David de Gea.
In the end, neither side managed to do anything to force a goalkeeper to fetch the ball from his net, with the game ending in a goalless draw. The result comes as a blow for Manchester United, while Watford will be pleased with the point earned, getting them to within four points of 17th-placed Leeds United. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ralf Rangnick’s men.
David de Gea: 6/10
David de Gea kept one of the more straightforward clean sheets of his career on Saturday, with Watford forcing him into two regulation saves. Otherwise, de Gea barely had anything to do, even completing most of his attempted passes apart from a botched long pass.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
Wan-Bissaka was preferred ahead of Diogo Dalot at right-back against Watford, and he looked solid for the most part. The 24-year-old was a constant outlet down the right flank but looked awkward whenever he looked to set up a chance. He had a chance of his own in the match, only to head his effort off target. He is not the solution for Manchester United.
Victor Lindelof: 6.5/10
Lindelof got the nod ahead of Manchester United captain Harry Maguire on Saturday, and the Swede was top-notch in his defensive duties. Lindelof won four duels while completing several long balls to open up play nicely. He might be an upgrade on Maguire after Saturday’s performance.
Raphael Varane: 6.5/10
Varane did not have much defending to do, but he snuffed out the danger whenever Watford charged up the pitch on their counter-attacks. The Frenchman came through unscathed despite looking awkward at the back at times. Varane continues to be a largely solid customer at the heart of the Manchester United defence.
Alex Telles: 5/10
Drafted into the starting lineup in place of Luke Shaw, Telles had the chance to impress. But the Brazilian failed to make his opportunity count despite seeing plenty of the ball. Telles lost possession 18 times while barely carrying a threat with his deliveries into the Watford box. He needs to do much better to truly usurp Shaw.
Nemanja Matic: 7/10
Nemanja Matic's game by numbers vs Watford:
100% dribbles completed (2/2)
95 total touches
89% pass accuracy (72/81)
82% long balls completed
25 final third passes
9 ball recoveries
5 duels won
1 chance createdAn assured midfield display from the veteran. ? pic.twitter.com/0gGQUaXB8n
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2022
Matic was rewarded for a bright cameo against Atletico Madrid with a start versus Watford. And the Serb was in his element, as he made a staggering nine recoveries and moved the ball forward quickly and efficiently. Alas, his teammates had other ideas with their openings in the final third.
Fred: 7/10
Fred often tends to excel when playing alongside a traditional holding midfielder, which was the case against Watford. The Brazilian relished bombing forward when the chance presented itself while being solid in his defensive duties and completing 92 per cent of his attempted passes.
Anthony Elanga: 6.5/10
Anthony Elanga's game by numbers vs Watford:
100% tackles won (2/2)
63 total touches
16 final third passes completed
6 duels won
2 ball recoveries
1 chance created
0 dispossessionsA promising display from the young winger despite the draw. ? pic.twitter.com/XR2X3Aojyy
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2022
Coming on the back of a special performance against Atletico Madrid, Elanga had a spring in his step throughout the game. But the Manchester United academy product should have buried a great chance when Paul Pogba set him up. Otherwise, some of Elanga’s first-touch passes were sumptuous, and he could have grabbed an assist on another day.
Bruno Fernandes: 5/10
Bruno Fernandes endured a game to forget. While the Portuguese international created two great chances, especially one for compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, he was also guilty of fluffing his lines inexplicably on two occasions in the first half. His finishing has gone for a toss, and Bruno Fernandes needs to step up.
Bruno Fernandes' game by numbers vs Watford:
96 total touches
87% pass accuracy (58/67)
22 final third passes
6 ball recoveries
4 shots blocked
2 dribbles completed
2 chances created
2 big chances missed
1 tackle wonA mixed performance… ?? pic.twitter.com/Uv9maer3e3
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2022
Paul Pogba: 6.5/10
Pogba started as an auxiliary left-winger, but in reality, he had a free role in the middle of the park. The Frenchman roamed across the pitch and looked to make things happen, even setting up Elanga with a brilliant backheel flick. But he could have done more to tip the scales in Manchester United’s favour.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 3/10
2022 has been Ronaldo’s worst year in well over a decade, and the Portuguese international again struggled to make an impression. Ronaldo had several chances to find the back of the net, but he spurned all the openings and even smashed the woodwork. He is in need of inspiration.
Ronaldo has blanked in eight of his last nine matches ❌#MUNWAT #FPL pic.twitter.com/LGn3GAhdFY
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 26, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Jadon Sancho: 6.5/10
It was surprising to see Sancho named as a substitute, and the English international looked lively after coming off the bench. But Sancho could not create a game-changing opportunity, with his former club Watford holding firm.
Luke Shaw: N/A
Shaw’s introduction was bizarre, as Rangnick had Jesse Lingard on the bench. The Englishman attempted a few crosses, but none of them landed.
Marcus Rashford: N/A
A late introduction, Rashford looked uninspiring in his cameo.
