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Manchester United advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup but were not impressive by beating Watford 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shuffled his deck for the Championship team’s visit, with two Premier League games in the next eight days.
And it looked like it was going to be easy against the Hornets, when the night’s captain, Scott McTominay, put United in the lead after just five minutes.
But despite that early goal, United were unable to capitalize on their dominance of possession, struggling to create clear opportunities against promotion pursuers.
Watford had a couple of shots of his own, but in truth, Dean Henderson rarely disturbed the hosts’ goal.
It may have been an uninspiring performance by the Red Devils, but it is another victory as they continue their good form.
Here are our findings from the cup clash at Old Trafford.
Telles’ forceful contribution
Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed that Charlie Adam’s corner kicks “are worth £ 10 million”, such was the advantage he gave his teams.
Well, if the legendary United boss were watching, he would have had trouble not being impressed with Alex Telles’ skill.
The Brazilian kissed the ball before launching a diabolical cross for McTominay’s starter and almost repeats the trick for Eric Bailly.
Solskjaer may still be biding his time before committing to Telles as the undoubted first choice on the left side, but there’s no question, his dead ball ability is a huge asset.
Get well soon Bailly
Just as Eric Bailly appeared to be making second center back his own, he suffered what appeared to be a concussion in the latter stages of the first half.
Bailly was in the middle of another impressive performance, forming an effective partnership with Axel Tuanzebe.
But after a collision with United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, the central defender was forced to leave the game.
With a quick turnaround before Burnley, his involvement in Turf Moor appears in the balance.
All eyes are on that week-long trip to Anfield on Sunday, where they will seek to usurp Liverpool at the top of the table.
Crossing your fingers isn’t too bad, it deserves a break.
Forgotten men take no chances
For the first time since September 30, Solskjaer named a United starting lineup that included Jesse Lingard and Brandon Williams.
The pair have almost become an afterthought this season, with both expected to complete moves in the January window.
The United manager has always been behind both players, but it didn’t seem like they did enough to send a real message to Solskjaer.
Williams was used as a right back, but he didn’t show the kind of attacking intensity that might have shown him to be a skilled backup for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Meanwhile, Lingard failed to have much influence from midfield and it looks better for all parties if he gets a change this month.
A look at van de Beek
“Sometimes it takes time. You don’t expect the people who take care of him to shut up sometimes, especially when they want the best for themselves,” Solskjaer said of Donny van de Beek in preparation.
Reports from the Netherlands have been highly critical of the former Ajax midfielder’s treatment since his summer changeover.
Previously, you were told to “pack your bags” if you don’t have any more opportunities. Against the Hornets he got off to an unusual start, but it was another highly mixed night for the £ 35 million signing.
Van de Beek showed the kind of quality that everyone knows he has, with various clever touches and test passes.
But he still feels that Solskjaer doesn’t know the best position from his summer signing. When asked to play as one two holding midfielders, the Dutchman seemed desperate to advance, but was constrained by his role.
Every time he chose to move on, he left Scott McTominay exposed and was rarely seen when trying to do business.
The harsh reality is that when you use him in that position today, United’s best midfield just doesn’t include him.
Ole’s annoyance
After a busy holiday schedule, Solskjaer will have been desperate to get some of his key players to rest before another series of key Premier League matches.
People like Maguire, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes were named alternates, with the expectation that most would not be required to enter at all.
However, Bailly’s injury changed Maguire’s plans, while some of the United team’s players were underperforming forcing Rashford and Martial to move on.
Daniel James and Lingard couldn’t risk it and Solskjaer was forced to carry the big guns to see the tie.
United appears to have a core of 11-15 players who seem capable of propelling them forward, but strength in depth is a real issue and could be one that causes problems as matches continue to escalate.
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