/Ratings: Luke Shaw rose to the occasion to help United to victory over Watford; Rashford and Martial both scored

Ratings: Luke Shaw rose to the occasion to help United to victory over Watford; Rashford and Martial both scored

Manchester United beat Watford 2-1 in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. It was a good victory for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who saw his team return to winning ways in his first match since being announced as the permanent manager of the club on a three-year contract.

United took the lead in the 28th minute of the match through Marcus Rashford. Luke Shaw played a through ball into Rashford as he was entering the final third of the pitch. The England striker then took a touch, placing the ball slightly over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, rousing a celebration from the Old Trafford faithful.

United doubled their lead in the 72nd minute of the match, after a period of the game which saw Watford in good form and pressing United. Jesse Lingard got the ball in the box, played it into the middle for Anthony Martial, Ben Foster then made the dive to deny the Frenchman but the loose ball fell for Martial to double United’s lead.

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Man of the Match: Luke Shaw

The England international played well against Watford. It is good to see him having a good season, which is the first in his career at United. Shaw managed to get himself forward at every opportunity and assisted the first goal of the game, passing a great ball to Marcus Rashford, who buried his shot. He was also influential in spells of the game. Great to see.

Match Statistics:

1 David De Gea

The Spanish number one played well for United. Managed to stop Deeney from scoring early doors and palmed an effort from Pereyra into touch. Unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet though.

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18 Ashley Young

The veteran winger-cum-right-back seemed to be tired, despite not playing for more than a fortnight. In the second half, he did improve slightly but not enough to keep his place against Wolves. Diogo Dalot needs to replace him.

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12 Chris Smalling

Got stuck in against Watford. Was the difference at times with interceptions. Helped United get what they deserved. May he keep his form at the time where it matters.

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4 Phil Jones

After two months on the sidelines, Jones is back. He was steady during the game and hardly put a foot wrong. Unfortunate to conceded a late goal though, but that was not on him.

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23 Luke Shaw

Played well for United. Got the assist for the opening goal of the game, with Rashford scoring. Influential in the game today.

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21 Ander Herrera

The Spanish midfielder played 63 minutes against Watford at Old Trafford before he was replaced by Pereira. Herrera had a 58% influence in the game and his role was mainly keeping possession for United.

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31 Nemanja Matic

United need to seek a player to replace the Serbian in the summer. His regression has hit hard over the last few matches. I saw someone on Twitter state that milk could turn faster than Matic. Time for change?

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6 Paul Pogba

The Frenchman did not have the best of matches but did not hide on the pitch, which is something he has done since he came back to United. At 1-0 up, the showboat emerged when there was still a lot to do. He needs to keep it simple.

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8 Juan Mata

The veteran Spanish midfielder had a small influence in the game but played better in the number ten role. He had a 64% influence in the game, for his passing more than anything else. He was replaced just after the hour by Lingard.

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10 Marcus Rashford

Opened the scoring for United after Shaw played a great ball ahead to him.

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11 Anthony Martial

The Frenchman played well against Watford and managed to score a crucial goal in the 72nd minute of the match, with assistance from Lingard, although Foster made the dive to deny Martial, who then pounced on the loose ball to put United 2-0 up. The Frenchman was later replaced after suffering a knock with Marcos Rojo replacing him in the 77th minute.

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Substitutes

14 Jesse Lingard

Replaced Mata 63′. Good to see him back and raring to go. Set Martial up for United’s second goal, although it was not an assist.

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15 Andreas Pereira

Replaced Herrera 63′. Booked late in the game as Watford had just found an equaliser. He provided much-needed energy to the midfield for the remaining 30 minutes of the match.

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5 Marcos Rojo

Replaced Martial 77′. Not impressive after his long spell out of the game. Culpable for Watford’s late goal. United could have kept a clean sheet. Not sure he represents anything United do at this time. Might be out of the door in the summer.

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Goals: Marcus Rashford 28′, Anthony Martial 72′; Abdoulaye Doucouré 90′

Assists: Luke Shaw 28′; Isaac Success 90′

Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Herrera (Pereira 63′), Matic, Pogba; Mata (Lingard 63′), Rashford, Martial (Rojo 77′)

Substitutes Not Used: Romero; Dalot; Fred; Lukaku

Bookings: Andreas Pereira 90+2′; Will Hughes 17′, Adam Masina 82′