It wasn’t the prettiest victory, but Manchester United will take it. In a 2-1 road win, the Red Devils did just enough to give Watford their first blemish of the young season. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring, with central defender Chris Smalling providing the game winner.
Manager Jose Mourinho praised the efforts of his much maligned centre back, but also jokingly took a swipe at his appearance.
“The only thing I don’t like in Chris in this moment is the haircut but I am nobody to tell him that,” said Mourinho, admitting that he is not a style expert.
“He’s playing really well. Victor [Lindelof] and Marouane [Fellaini] were important, matches in two against two, because Burnley and Watford, two strikers, and two powerful strikers, can hold the ball, in the air, they are physical, they are clever, these three guys were important for us again.”
United were desperate to acquire a new central defender this summer transfer window, but for a whole myriad of reasons missed out on all their targets. So that means Smalling will have to be a stalwart for them in central defense. The win moved United up two places to eighth in the table.
They are back in action Wednesday night, as they’ll begin their UEFA Champions League campaign at Young Boys with a group stage clash.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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