1. That was shocking. Aside from the result, United managed to produce a display – save the last 20 minutes – which justifies the worst point tally since the Premier League started. The first half is probably the worst I’ve seen them playing for a long time, considering also the opposition. It’s shocking how we can play with drive and endeavour one day and with no heart at all and lacking ideas the other, during the same month. Ole has a job on his hands if he pretends that this team moves forward. Consistency is key for any team and certainly a requisite to make the Champions League next year. All is not lost but on this showing, it’s going to be massively difficult.
2. On the positive side – and as I have said here on a number of occasions – the return of Pogba has shown that United play better with him in the team. His composure on the ball and ability to link up play could have saved the day for us on another day. We certainly created enough chances to score in the last 20 minutes and sometimes a goal can turn a match on its head. McTominay was not good today but for the next match, I would like to see Pogba playing in the hole behind the three strikers, with McTominay and Fred in midfield. Pogba can make a difference.
3. It’s frustrating how we cannot keep a clean sheet in the Premiership. And what’s even more frustrating is the manner how we concede. Generally it’s not that the opposition creating fantastic goals against us, where you hold up your hand and say, “well done to them”. Most of the times, we’re leaking goals because of individual mistakes from our defenders or keepers, or else from dead-ball situations. Today was typical. First a blunder from De Gea and then a penalty conceded by a mistimed lunge from Wan Bissaka and converted by the Watford captain. I can remember other silly mistakes against Everton, Sheffield United and Bournemouth, just from memory. I think that it’s time to rattle the boat a bit with a change or two in personnel next time round. Tuanzebe has to be given a chance in this defence.
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