Analysis: Watford

Watford named an unchanged starting line-up from their victory over Tottenham. Javi Gracia – who was named Manager of the Month for his side’s impressive run of results through August – chose to remain loyal to his 4-2-2-2 structure.

The hosts began by looking to build long into target man Troy Deeney from deeper positions, with wide midfielders Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra both moving to the ball-side to offer support in winning any loose balls. With their early attacks focused on their left side, they then tried to switch play out to the right, where right-back Daryl Janmaat often had Ashley Young isolated one on one. Any inaccurate switches across to Janmaat reduced the threat, however, and actually left the hosts vulnerable to the counter-attack, with heavy numbers now on the far side.

Watford sought to sustain longer spells of possession in attack as the first half progressed, with Hughes and Pereyra forming a central attacking box alongside Deeney and Andre Gray. This ensured that Young was occupied at left-back and further freed Janmaat, who continued to move forward into open spaces wide right. Etienne Capoue dropped deeper into the back line, ensuring play could now be more accurately switched to Janmaat. As Manchester United had dropped to a 4-5-1, Capoue was rarely pressed and therefore had the time to pick his pass out. Janmaat could then send crosses into Deeney and any central supporting runners – although these were dealt with well by the United defence.

For all their defensive solidity, the Hornets were undone by two set-pieces in three first-half minutes. Romelu Lukaku scored first for the visitors, as the hosts failed to clear their lines from Young’s deep free-kicks. The ball eventually found its way back to the England international, who delivered a superb cross for Lukaku to finish from close range. Soon after, Watford failed to deal with the first phase of a corner, as Marouane Fellaini headed the ball back into danger for Chris Smalling to double United’s advantage. The hosts saw little of the ball for the rest of the first half, with goalkeeper Ben Foster ensuring they didn’t concede a third.

Hughes’ role in midfield changed at the start of the second half, with the 23-year-old refraining from coming inside, instead providing the attacking width on the right side. Andre Gray would hold his position between Victor Lindelof and Young, delaying the pressure on Hughes as he received deep switches, giving him time to then combine with Janmaat and work the ball into the final third. United stood firm, however, and their threat on the break grew.

Out of possession, Watford’s transition into defence was initially caught out by Paul Pogba’s early forward passing, but the recovery runs from central midfield in particular were outstanding in delaying any attacks. With United’s front line remaining high as Watford attacked, Pogba had immediate access into his forwards – but Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure tirelessly recovered the ground, delaying most of their opponents’ attacking transitions.

The home side eventually grabbed a goal, and Hughes’ positioning was again key. Just as United were adapting to their right-sided combinations, the midfielder moved back inside to create an overload of five players. Jose Holebas had moved forward from left-back, while Gray had also moved across but held back from United’s final defensive line. Doucoure provided a fifth attacking option, as he ran ahead of the ball from central midfield and into the final third for the first time. It was his cutback that found Gray, whose subtle movement away from the central defence had gone unnoticed.

Doucoure continued to make surging runs forwards to add numbers in the final third, as the hosts hoped crosses from their advancing full-backs would lead to an equaliser. Their front line couldn’t connect with the final ball, however, as United’s structure became increasingly condensed in the closing stages. Nemanja Matic’s late dismissal reduced the away team to 10 men, but Watford had little time to take advantage and dropped points for the first time this season.