In the 27th round of the 2021-22 Premier League season, Manchester United took on Watford at the Theatre of Dreams. Before the match, Arsenal, who had two fewer rounds, had narrowed the point difference to one point, and tottenham Hotspur's four-goal victory in the first game was close to the point difference. Therefore, facing the "Premier Hornets" in the relegation zone, Manchester United, who play at home, has only one way to win.
In this game, the tactical play of the two team managers is very distinct, one main attack and one main defender. And "Huo Taigong" has an idea, crouching in the backcourt to defend, and then waiting for the opportunity to fight back. As a result, United have the most time to control the ball since the start of the season. Statistics show that Manchester United's possession rate was as high as 93%, and Watford was once firmly pressed in the half. But although Manchester United has the absolute initiative, the score has not been rewritten, the main reason is that the player's ability to seize the opportunity is too bad!
Throughout the first half, United had 67 percent possession of the ball, creating 10 shots on goal, but only 1 shot was on target, seven were deflected and 2 were blocked. The lowest fan is the B fee, perhaps too eager to score the 50th goal after joining Manchester United. The Portuguese midfielder made four shots at half-time, almost half of the team, with only one shot on target, missed two scoring opportunities, and scored 6.2 at half-time, the lowest in the whole game!
In the 12th minute, Manchester United played a counterattack, Erlanga directly blocked, B Fei burst into the box to receive and then shot with his feet, but unfortunately was saved by the goalkeeper, the first missed opportunity; in the 19th minute, Pogba crossed from the left, B Fei forward to the front of the goal to receive, but unfortunately his pad shot was out of the goal, missing the opportunity again; in the 27th minute, C Ronaldo received Elanga's direct plug into the box, crossed the goalkeeper and then crossed to find B Fei, who directly deflected the ball.
In addition to B fees, Cristiano Ronaldo also had a shot on goal to hit the goal frame, after which, Manchester United continued to control the situation, but always scored, 0-0 into the second half.
In the second half, Watford continued to follow the dead-end tactics of the first half, and Manchester United continued to dominate the attack, still with 72% possession, but still lacked skills. By the 70th minute of the second half, United had 17 shots on goal, but only three shots on target. As the game progressed, the mentality of the United players began to become impatient, and Watford also took advantage of the lack of timely defense of Manchester United, playing threatening counterattacks many times.
In the 73rd minute, Lonnick made another substitution, Rashford, Luke Shaw replaced Nemanja Matic and Telly respectively, plus Sancho replaced Fred in the 62nd minute, the 3 substitutions have been used up, but Lonnick also clearly released a signal - continue to attack!
In the 75th minute, Manchester United played a counter-attack, B Fei's shot was blocked again, and Watford had fully retreated! Anxiety was written on the faces of every United player; in the 78th minute, Erlanga won a set-piece on the right side of the penalty area, Luke Shaw took the penalty to find Ronaldo at the back point, but the strength was not mastered and flew straight out of the bottom line; in the 80th minute, Watford replaced Klevelly with Kutzka, Hodgson continued to strengthen the defense, and in the last 10 minutes, Manchester United continued to put in a heavy attack, but Watford also got sporadic counter-attack opportunities.
In the 83rd minute, Manchester United's long pass to sancho was found, sancho passed into the box, but Rashford let the ball, C Ronaldo ran over, wasted a counter-attack opportunity; in the 84th minute, Erlanga's right side burst into the box with the ball all the way into the box was intercepted, the lad was a bit alone, if stuffed to Sancho next to him, this is another opportunity; in the 86th minute, Manchester United played a counterattack again, C Ronaldo wanted to dunk the ball off the defense after getting the ball in the box, but obviously the mobility declined, the legs were weak, and he lost control of the ball.
By this time, the Watford fans had already begun to celebrate, and Lonnick on the sidelines was dignified. If you lose 2 points at your home field, this is undoubtedly another setback on the way to 4. In the final minutes, United laid siege to Watford, with as many as nine men coming forward to Watford's half. In the 92nd minute, B Fei fired a long-range cannon outside the box and was confiscated by the goalkeeper; in the last 1 second of stoppage time, Watford shot from outside the box almost killed Manchester United, and finally stoppage time ended, 0-0, Manchester United could not attack at home for a long time, and could only get 1 point.
Post-match statistics show that United have a full possession rate of 67%, a total of 22 shots on goal, only 3 shots on target, 12 feet deflected, 7 times blocked. United controlled the ball at home and created chances, but with Watford working together, United's attacking players were collectively muted, and 0-0 was fair.