Red-hot United sting Hornets
In the aftermath of the gut-wrenching defeat at Arsenal 10 days ago, Ferguson admitted he ‘did not sleep a wink’ as he mulled over the manner of the last-gasp loss.
But there will be no need for the Scot to burn the midnight oil again as United roused themselves after a lethargic start to eventually romp home, extending their goal difference advantage over Chelsea to 14 in the process.
Said Ferguson: “The first half was very difficult. Watford frustrated us and they were difficult to break down. I thought the penalty might open the game for us.
“But our football improved so I’m satisfied. Watford have had a hard season and they came here with a plan.
“There was some careless finishing and some great opportunities can be frustrating and football can bite you. One-nil is not a healthy scoreline.”
After Cristiano Ronaldo had slammed the hosts in front with his 14th goal of the season and Lloyd Doyley had doubled their lead with an unfortunate own goal, Henrik Larsson and Wayne Rooney also found the target as United recorded their biggest win since a similar success at Bolton.
Watford’s goal had barely been threatened when Jay Demerit tugged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shirt as he attempted to reach Rooney’s lay-off.
Thankfully for United, eagle-eyed referee Mike Dean spotted the infringement and up stepped Ronaldo to slam the ball past Richard Lee.
With Ronaldo and Rooney — both restored to Ferguson’s starting line-up — growing in influence, so the Red Devils started to carve out an increasing number of chances.
Nemanja Vidic was not far off with two headers from Michael Carrick corners and Richardson saw his shot flash onto the roof of Watford’s net.
The Red Devils maintained their focus after the break too, with Rooney and Ronaldo both going close before Richardson curled over the cross which Doyley stuck out his head to nod into his own net.
To all intents and purposes, it was game over. But United, mindful of how close the title battle could turn out to be, went for the jugular.
Five minutes after his introduction for Solskjaer, Larsson laid off a pass to Rooney, then sped onto a clinical through ball from the England man before rolling a shot into the corner.
United bagged another with their next attack, a product of an outrageous double act between Ronaldo and Rooney.
The Portugal man started it with a searing run across the visitors’ box, then amazingly chipping the ball over Watford’s startled defence to Rooney, who promptly launched his shot high over Lee before watching it drop into the goal.
Although it must have been tempting to inflict further damage on a Watford side whose two-game winning run was brought to an abrupt halt.
Instead Ferguson offered Wes Brown the opportunity to replace Carrick in central midfield.
It was hardly surprising some of the fire went out of United’s play after that, although only the base of a post denied a Ronaldo shot which would have completed their biggest win of the campaign.
MAN UTD: Kuszczak, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic (Silvestre 75), Heinze, Ronaldo, O’Shea, Carrick (Brown 75), Richardson, Rooney, Solskjaer (Larsson 66).
WATFORD: Lee, Mariappa, Doyley, DeMerit, Stewart, Smith (Williamson 72), Bangura, Francis, Powell (Hoskins 61), Bouazza, Henderson (Kabba 75).
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
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