SCOTT MCTOMINAY CELEBRATED captaining Manchester United for the first time by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory against Watford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made nine changes to his team, who could go top of the Premier League on Tuesday, when they take on Burnley.
The home side started strongly at an empty Old Trafford, with Daniel James impressive on the left side of the attack, and were rewarded when McTominay gave them the lead in the fifth minute.
The Scotland international, who recently scored two early goals against Leeds, headed downwards from an Alex Telles corner and the ball went in off the post.
United were largely in control and Juan Mata saw an effort saved following a fluent team move and sumptuous flick by Donny van de Beek.
But McTominay’s header proved the only goal of a first half in which Watford threatened intermittently. Adam Masina’s effort was blocked by a mixture of United goalkeeper Dean Henderson and Axel Tuanzebe.
The opening period ended with United defender Eric Bailly being replaced by Harry Maguire after he was clattered by team-mate Henderson.
Solskjaer threw on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial midway through the second half but United were forced to settle for a 1-0 win.
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Not the prettiest win in the world but a wins a win. Mctominay is getting better with every game.
A wins a win. Can see Scott moving into cb soon enough.
@Paully Kells: he was excellent. Ya wouldn’t be a bad choice for CB. Mobile, strong can play a bit of football. Good result tonight but performance was poor. But a wins a win
Once again Van De Beek looked brilliant on and off the ball. Go on Ole spring him in against the pool!
@Niall Mc Gourty: I’m hoping that he’s just being eased in. It’s a far more physically demanding league than the Dutch league. But he has looked really good in the glimpses we’ve gotten
@Niall Mc Gourty: Current midfield is Fred, Mctominay, Bruno. Then Pogba depending on formation and players available. VDB should be starting ahead of Pogba. He should be sold now but they have to wait until the summer. VDB will take that position permanently next season. Cavanis form means Ole prefers the 4-3-3 again so not much room if you want Martial and Rashford starting
@Dave O Keeffe: Sums it up perfectly.
@Alan Kenny: Yeah he prefers Pogba, Pogba will need to be smarter in possession against Liverpool, Bruno is allowed to try things and take risks but the other 3 have to be more sensible that’s why i think Van de Beek should start plus hes a harder worker than Pogba. I’m expecting him to go with the 4 in midfield and 2 up top against Liverpool.
Wait….. What…. No penalty?