Manchester United vs Watford result: Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial restore place in top four

“This is the start of the start,” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared in his first programme notes as the new, permanent manager of Manchester United, three days after confirmation of his appointment. It was a winning start, but only just.

United were made to work for this 2-1 victory over a tenacious, well-organised Watford side who were pushing for their best-ever Premier League finish and unfortunate not to leave Old Trafford with something to show for their efforts.

Solskjaer’s side scored twice against the run of play either side of half time, through Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Otherwise, they were heavily reliant on a rearguard led by the impressive Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Watford earned a 90th-minute consolation through Abdoulaye Doucouré but even then the scoreline was not reflective of a game in which the visitors were better side for long spells and only ever undone on the counter.

Javi Gracia’s side lost their last two away league games - at Anfield and the Etihad - by a combined score of 8-1, yet left Old Trafford feeling they deserved at least a point. If United are to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool again under Solskjaer, they will need to improve on this.

There was a new entry on Old Trafford’s pre-match playlist, with supporters treated to a short blast of The Stone Roses’ “Waterfall”. Ole was at the wheel and that sense unbridled optimism that comes with the dawn of a new era abounded before kick-off.

It lasted all of five minutes. Watford were on top from the off, pinning a rusty United in their own half during the opening exchanges and threatening with possession on the edge of their penalty area.

Doucouré came close to establishing an early lead but, inside the penalty area and to left of goal, aimed wide of the near post. David de Gea was then forced to tip a downward Troy Deeney header away and hurt his knee in the process.

United’s sluggish start coaxed Solskjaer to the edge of his technical area, where he told several of his players what he made of how they had started in no uncertain terms. It brought a gradual improvement and, just shy of the half-hour mark, an opening goal.

Rashford was the scorer and had been United’s brightest player up to that point, but the opportunity only came about because of one excellent tackle and then even better through ball by Luke Shaw.

The left-back robbed Troy Deeney deep in his own half to end a Watford attack and then launched United’s counter with a pass that cut right through the retreating defence. Rashford took a touch then flick the ball over Ben Foster, who was diving hopelessly at his feet.

It was hardly a deserved lead but it could easily have been doubled before the interval. United almost profited from a spate of pinball inside the Watford penalty area that saw the ball break kindly for Martial but his shot at point-blank range was blocked by Foster.

Had Martial taken that opportunity, United would have enjoyed a more comfortable second half. Instead, just one goal up, they quickly slipped back into their old ways and Watford became dominant once more.

First, Roberto Pereyra forced De Gea to dive low down to his right and stop a goal-bound effort from the edge of the box. That opportunity sparked a long spell of Watford pressure which only ended with Martial’s scrappy, contentious second.

Before that United goal came, Will Hughes went close, curving an attempt around the far post after Nemanja Matic was easily muscled off the ball inside his own penalty area. Substitute Kiko Femenia then almost caught De Gea off guard from around 40 yards.

A restless Old Trafford demanded changes. Solskjaer removed the unimpressive Ander Herrera and Juan Mata to little effect. Watford remained camped deep in United territory, pressing for an equaliser.

And then, just as in the first half, a goal came entirely against the run of play. Martial made no mistake this time, bundling the ball over line in untidy fashion from close range, but from what appeared to be an offside position.

It was cruel on Watford, whose only bit of joy all afternoon arrived on the brink of stoppage time. When a bouncing ball fell Doucouré’s way on the edge of the area, he ghosted through the United defence and slotted past De Gea.

The goal came too late to threaten the destination of the points, but still acted as a reminder that United should not to let their victory gloss over a less than convincing display.