Manchester United beat Watford 4-2 in a thrilling Premier League match at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night but United manager Jose Mourinho felt margin of the victory should have been greater, such was his side’s dominance.
“We should have scored seven. We were very dangerous for 90 minutes, I think, and we had a chance to score in the first half and kill the game and we had also a chance at 3-0 to control the game because 3-0 is more than enough to win but we lost concentration and gave them life,” Mourinho said at the post-match press conference.
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“We gave them life with the first goal and then we were a couple of minutes with normal fear and pressure of losing the points,” the United boss added.
A first-half brace from Ashley Young and a goal from Anthony Martial had given the visitors a commanding lead at half-time and while United continued to enjoy chances, they were unable to extend their lead and allowed Watford a glimmer of hope.
Mourinho spoke on why he thought the Hornets came surging back in the tie: “They are full of confidence, they have nothing to lose, they are a team that has no pressure, they play the way they do. For them to lose 3-0 or lose 5-0 is exactly the same, so after the 3-1, they come into the game and there were a few minutes where we should be smoking cigars but certainly we were a big team in trouble.”
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Watford’s in-form Brazilian winger Richarlison was quiet for most parts of the game and Mourinho attributed that to a steely defensive performance from United defender Victor Lindelof.
“I think Richarlison is a very good player and a difficult player to play against but Victor is very fast and he’s adapted to play centrally but also to go to the sides because he’s got the agility that many of the central defenders don’t have. I think it was another very positive performance by Victor,” Mourinho gushed as he showered praise on Lindelof, a player who has come under plenty of criticism of late.
With the win at Watford, United have cut Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. However, the Citizens can restore their eight-point advantage when they host Southampton in their game in hand on Wednesday night.
United now turn their attentions to a massive Premier League clash with arch-rivals Arsenal on Saturday. The tie at the Emirates will be an enthralling clash as both sides have been impressive in recent weeks.