Manchester United left the door open for his or her top-four rivals, as Watford bolstered their hopes of survival with a 0-0 draw at disgruntled Previous Trafford on Saturday.
In a poignant second earlier than kicking the ball, each groups, led by United interim president Ralph Rangnick, displayed a banner calling for peace in gentle of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On the pitch, United have been superior all through however have been responsible of squandering an abundance of unimaginable alternatives, lacking the prospect to maneuver one level off third-placed Chelsea, and failing to reply to Arsenal and Tottenham’s victory in. Extremely aggressive race for the UEFA Champions League soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo was denied the ball within the first half and an offside try was canceled and he noticed Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Anthony Ilanga fail to substantiate United’s dominance.
As United toiled, Watford’s confidence grew, who owed an inspirational efficiency from former goalkeeper Ben Foster and will have accomplished the league double at their host, with Ismail Sarr’s injury-time purpose crossing inches.
All-too-familiar boos erupted as the ultimate whistle sounded as Roy Hodgson, now unbeaten on his final 4 visits to Previous Trafford, led last-placed Watford to a degree the place three left them out of the protection zone. Fourth-placed United are two factors forward of fifth-placed Arsenal, having performed three extra matches.
Manchester United’s problem faltered within the high 4
It was a disappointing finish to a day that began off in a promising method. Ronaldo hit the submit with an effort within the fifth minute, and Bruno Fernandes’ United might have superior to his compatriot quite than go it alone moments later. As a substitute, Foster elegantly thwarted his try.
Ronaldo finally put the ball previous Watford when he turned Fernandes’ cross dwelling, solely to see it was referred to as off for offside.
The probabilities continued to move United, as Fernandes was unable to attain through the extension to achieve Paul Pogba’s cross, earlier than heading in the direction of the purpose after Ronaldo rounded Foster and crossed to the far submit.
United wished a penalty earlier than the break when Anthony Ilanga fell beneath a problem from Craig Cathcart, however referee Kevin Pal did not transfer.
After Watford middle again Samir headed dwelling and Pogba miscalculated a shot early within the second half, one other attraction of the penalty kick was denied when Ronaldo fell to the bottom after contact from Hassan Kamara.
Ilanga failed to provide a robust particular person efficiency when he fired broad on the finish of an excellent United assault, earlier than the 19-year-old inadvertently blocked an try by Ronaldo on the purpose line.
Rangnick Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw got here in late however to no avail as United reached the full-time whistle fortunate with a degree, Sarr firing inches away from David de Gea’s purpose with nearly the final kick of the match. .
What then?
Man United travels to Man Metropolis for as we speak’s Manchester derby tremendous sunday Reside at 4.30pm Sky Sports activities Premier League. Earlier than that, Watford hosts Arsenal Tremendous Sunday Reside at 1.30pm Sky Sports activities Premier League.