24th February, 2020
Manchester United secured a 3-0 home win over Watford with goals from Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood on Sunday, giving the former champions’ hopes of finishing in the English Premier League’s top four.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes scored his first goal for Manchester United with a 42nd minute penalty kick.
Martial and Greenwood then netted fine individual efforts to lift them two places up to fifth on 41 points from 27 games.
Manchester United are three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, while struggling Watford stayed 19th on 24 points.
The home team’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the agile Fernandes and Greenwood.
“A very good win, two good wins and two clean sheets, some goals to celebrate. Now we want to kick on,” Solskjaer said, also referring to Manchester United’s 2-0 win at Chelsea on Monday.
“Fernandes is quicker than he looks. Very excited by having him in. He has come in, given everyone a boost and wants to conduct a game. There are big games coming up now.
“The thing that matters in football is scoring goals and that is what Greenwood does.”
Fernandes added: “This is the day every player wants to have. I just need to help the team, it’s what I need to do. I hope Martial scores more goals too like he did.”
The home side looked disjointed in the opening 20 minutes and both teams missed chances.
Then, Ben Foster tripped Fernandes and the playmaker sent the Watford goalkeeper the wrong way with a confident spot-kick.
Watford had an effort ruled out for handball following a VAR check soon after half-time.
Manchester United then doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Martial picked up the rebound after Foster blocked his initial attempt.
He left Etienne Capoue dumbfounded with dazzling footwork before dinking the ball over the goalkeeper.
Greenwood put the icing on the cake with another goal of the highest quality in the 75th minute.
He unleashed a pile-driver into the top corner after finding space on the edge of the penalty area.
Manchester United fans unfurled a giant banner before the kick-off.
There was also a minute’s silence to honour the club’s former goalkeeper Harry Gregg who died last Sunday at the age of 87.