Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Manchester United vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the latest updates as the hosts look to keep up momentum in the top-four race

Michael Jones
Saturday 26 February 2022 12:10 EST
Comments
(Getty Images)

It may still be the case that Manchester United have only lost once since the 4-1 defeat at Vicarage Road which led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment but draws like these are slowly eroding hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League.

Solskjaer’s conquerors Watford, under new management themselves, will celebrate this goalless draw at Old Trafford, even if the point does little to help Roy Hodgson’s side in their battle against the drop. It was yet another afternoon when United had their chances but did not take them.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is especially concerning. The Portuguese looked every inch the 37-year-old centre-forward that he is and may be contemplating whether he can stomach a season outside of European football’s elite competition. If he decides not, that may be the best thing for all parties concerned.

United remain fourth, two points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, but have played three games more. And worryingly, this visit of a Watford side sat second-bottom could be viewed as the last in a run of favourable fixtures dating all the way back to early December.

After next week’s derby at the Etihad, top-four rivals Tottenham pay a visit with the return leg against Atletico Madrid following three days later. Even if the subsequent trip to Anfield is postponed due to the FA Cup quarter-finals, as seems likely, Rangnick is entering a defining period. Follow reaction from Manchester United vs Watford below and coverage of Everton vs Man City:

Leeds vs Tottenham

Tottenham’s points tally this season of 39 is 16 ahead of Leeds. However, in terms of expected goals this season, both clubs would be on 28 points.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:20

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leeds have lost 16 of their 22 Premier League fixtures without Kalvin Phillips in the team since the start of last season.

(Getty Images)
Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:18

Leeds vs Tottenham

Among managers to have taken charge of at least 10 Premier League fixtures on a Saturday, Antonio Conte has the best win rate of 76% (W28, D3, L6).

But, Spurs have lost eight of their last 12 league matches that have kicked off at 12.30pm, including that 3-1 loss at Leeds last May.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:16

Leeds vs Tottenham: Antonio Conte ‘committed’ to Tottenham after talks with Daniel Levy

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte insists he is “committed” to the club and has spoken to chairman Daniel Levy about his future.

The Italian cast doubt over his future when he suggested he was not “good enough” to fix Spurs’ problems following the midweek defeat to Burnley – the fourth loss in five games – and the club would have to make an assessment on the job he was doing.

He has since spoken to Levy and says Tottenham are happy with his performance.

Antonio Conte ‘committed’ to Tottenham after talks with Daniel Levy

The Italian this week suggested he was not ‘good enough’ to fix Spurs’ problems

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:14

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leeds have lost all eight league matches this season against the established ‘big six’ clubs by an aggregate score of 7-34. Going into this matchround, the Whites have conceded 56 league goals this season, three more than any other top-flight team.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:11

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leeds would need to win their remaining 13 league fixtures this season just to equal last season’s total of 18 top-flight victories. They are in danger of losing three consecutive top-flight home games for the first time since November 2003.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:08

Leeds vs Tottenham

Tottenham are aiming to avoid losing four Premier League games in a calendar month for the first time since December 2003 under David Pleat.

They have gone 10 matches without a clean sheet in all competitions since a 1-0 league victory at Watford on New Year’s Day.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:05

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leeds have taken one point from their five most recent league matches and have conceded 17 goals during that run. They have 23 points, their lowest tally after 25 games since the 2006-07 Championship season, in which they were relegated.

Michael Jones26 February 2022 12:01

Leeds vs Tottenham: More from Forshaw

Adam Forshaw was also asked how the team is coping with a dip in form that has seen Leeds lose four of their last five Premier League games. The midfielder replied:

I don’t really focus on things like that, I don’t look into form. If we know we’ve prepared well and done everything right then it is better to focus on ourselves, rather than what everyone else is doing.

“The risk is with these teams that they have world class players, the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, you have to constantly be on it with them.

“I think we’ll be wary of that but not forgetting that we showed a good side to ourselves in the last game against them. We need our intensity, organisation and being tough to be beat, whilst using our pace and excitement that we have got in the final third.”

Michael Jones26 February 2022 11:58

Leeds vs Tottenham: Forshaw reacts to Liverpool defeat

Leeds midfielder, Adam Forshaw, spoke about his team’s last game and how the players felt after shipping six goals to Liverpool without reply. Forshaw said:

You have to take your medicine, first and foremost. You have to analyse it, to see where things went wrong, then move on as quickly as possible.

“We have a really important game against Tottenham now so we definitely want to put things right, and going into a game with as much confidence as possible.

“I won’t lie, the lads were pretty down after the game as you would be, because nobody likes to get beaten and especially in that manner.

“There can’t be a hangover, we’ve come in and recovered well and trained well going into tomorrow, so we are confident we can get a result.”

Michael Jones26 February 2022 11:55

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in