Match report United 0 Watford 0 26 February 2022

FIRST HALF – BRUNO LEADS THE REDS’ PURSUIT 

With Harry Maguire on the bench, Bruno Fernandes took on the captain’s role and was certainly prominent in the opening half hour as he chased his 50th goal for the Reds. Inspired by the armband, Fernandes will have been thinking that he should have strolled past the personal half-century mark within half an hour, as he had a big influence on United’s early chances.

His fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo had the first effort, however, after just four minutes, but hit the post with his sweeping right-foot shot following a move constructed by Nemanja Matic and Anthony Elanga.

Then Bruno took centre stage. After nine minutes, he dummied the Watford defence twice before letting go with a drive that hit Ronaldo in the penalty box.
Three minutes later, Ronaldo and Elanga were the source of the next move that fed Fernandes, but ex-Red goalkeeper Ben Foster got an arm to his close-range strike when a goal looked a cert.

Ronaldo had a goal chalked off for offside in the 15th minute before Bruno was causing problems for the Hornets once again. A Paul Pogba cross was on the money for Fernandes as he stole in ahead of the Watford defence, but the Portuguese midfielder volleyed just wide.

After 27 minutes, Ronaldo clipped a cross for a waiting Fernandes in the box, but the latter steered his header off target.
Alex Telles then came close after 37 minutes when Bruno and Ronaldo handed over free-kick duties to the Brazilian, following a Samir foul on Pogba. His set piece flew inches wide.

There were loud appeals for a penalty in the 42nd minute when Elanga and former Red Craig Cathcart came together, but referee Kevin Friend waved away Matic’s pleas and the breakthrough that had looked so threatening and promising early on hadn’t yet arrived as referee Kevin Friend blew for half-time.