Jose Mourinho hailed Marouane Fellaini as 10-man Manchester United's main weapon in denying Watford a fifth successive Premier League win.
Fellaini was involved in both of United's goals from set pieces at Vicarage Road and repeatedly tracked back to help centre backs Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who has divided opinion during his time at United, was pivotal in this performance and Mourinho wanted to point out his talent afterwards.
'We made defensive mistakes against Brighton and Tottenham,' the United manager said. 'Against Brighton, we didn't deserve to win.
'Then we go to two difficult matches, difficult stadiums, Burnley and Watford, and I thought my central defenders needed somebody to support them and give them the first wall of physicality.
'But Marouane gives us more than that. He gives us quality and simplicity. He is playing simple and well. I am really happy for Marouane.
'I am very happy. With the points, with the spirit. I feel a bit frustrated because we had everything in the first half to kill the game.'
Mourinho's United have been practising set-pieces and the sight of two leading to goals particularly pleased the Portuguese boss. Romelu Lukaku scored their first before Chris Smalling got the second.
Smalling turned out with his hair twisted into knots and scored what proved to be the winner for Manchester United with a volley from close range in the first half at Vicarage Road.
'We trained the corner and it's the best thing that can happen to coaches when you train and see it happen in the match,' Mourinho said.
'They are happening in last three matches, even against Tottenham. Things we are working on, position and movement. The set pieces are a very specific thing. You work and work and for weeks you don't see the result so when it happened it was happiness for coaches.
'The only thing I don't like at this moment with Chris is the haircut but I am no one to tell him that.'
Smalling controlled the ball on his chest, held off a challenge from Daryl Janmaat and converted his first goal since April with style.
'You always hope they fall to you like that,' said the 28-year-old United defender. 'On my left foot, it was a nice one.
'When you're on top and 2-0 up there's always danger if they get that goal. It was a battle and we had to dig in.'
David de Gea also produced a stellar save in stoppage time to deny Watford an equaliser.
Mourinho added: 'Only one save but fantastic save. We know what it is to be the goalkeeper for a big team. Some matches you don't touch the ball and sometimes watching the game and in the right moment you have to be there.'
piuadmnopz
0
I hate Smalling haircut too seriously
ashrafuddeen
0
fellaini has finally improved
Valprudent
0
I'm a Manu fan 100% but u saying the truth, Fellano played better for Manu more than Pogba, if Fellano lost the ball half the time as Pogba's did today he would be the worst player ever for Manu,, Pogba was a mess today, He loose the ball more than half the time he received it
You said it all Bro.... Martial and Pogba should leave the club. The 2 of them don't have passion for the team. Better they leave. With or without them United will do better. You can see the zeal rest of the players possesses but this 2 guys are just too fake.
popknt
0
is the hire cut your problem or to win. if you never talk ur body no go come down. Coming
[image]
is a cause on him nah
faycklprs
2
thanks cris smalling for your winning goal
blaiseDor
0
I want to ask one thing's the England permier league arledy finished, because i heard and i see some Liverpool fan celebrate that this season the league title it's for them in five matches, and I see their arledy at second place while their not losed any single game, this is too early to say and still 33 game left again, there's injury coming many competition come to like Champion league,Fa cup,Carling cup, so it not mean that if you five games without losing you won a league, even Westnham the club which lost all the games still they are not relegate, they can stay, you will cutting my finger and this is true I m tell you it's too early to say pls.
I tell you bro...well said
TonyV25
2
Fellaini is being used in set pieces like England use Maguire
Johannes Niitembu
3
I want to ask one thing's the England permier league arledy finished, because i heard and i see some Liverpool fan celebrate that this season the league title it's for them in five matches, and I see their arledy at second place while their not losed any single game, this is too early to say and still 33 game left again, there's injury coming many competition come to like Champion league,Fa cup,Carling cup, so it not mean that if you five games without losing you won a league, even Westnham the club which lost all the games still they are not relegate, they can stay, you will cutting my finger and this is true I m tell you it's too early to say pls.
Peeakmrsu
1
I like Chris hairstyle ...he improves
coaadlmrs
2
I like Chris Haircut 🙌 thanks for your brilliant goal🏃⚽⚽
suucps
0
If he dose not remove that hair cut i asuer smaling will voted dirty player of the year
NaimGarbagamji
1
UP man red
Sabbtuz
0
martial has never been a selfish player, as winger he does his job on d field very well creating chances and scoring goal. u can also check his statistics last season after pogba his d second highest assister man utd. martial is my best player in united, he is d only one dat play entertaining football and d most skillful player in united so please keep sentiment as side and rate base on performance
Well yesterday he was irritating and could have cost United the game!! He had 2/3 clear counters but he oddly decided stop and slow the game losing the ball aftewards and not making any effort to win it back! As I said before I like the player when he plays as he knows!! I
lunioyz
0
is the hire cut your problem or to win. if you never talk ur body no go come down. Coming
[image]
Are u too short or what? unless you tell us that ur shortness is that of a lice, people if u don't have anything to talk about, STOP that nonsense of mocking others.
Namibia9356204
0
I think Mourhino must fix he's attacking options is very weak.he must do something on he's attacking line up.I think sunches must coming from the bench young is better option with Luke Shaw on that wing
Pepedino
0
Where were those wanting the managers head for not playing Martial?? Did you see how he played when he’s was brought on?? The attitude was very bad and was irritating..he walked while Lukaku run back to his half to make tackles!! The minute was around 80 and martial has been in for 5mins or so while Lukaku had 79mins under his belt but still put in the effort! Martial is a great player, one of my favourites but he’s selfish! You can have issues with the manager but the moment he gives u a chance, u go in and show how wrong the manager is for benching...if he could put his ego aside he would be a great player everyday!!!
martial has never been a selfish player, as winger he does his job on d field very well creating chances and scoring goal. u can also check his statistics last season after pogba his d second highest assister man utd. martial is my best player in united, he is d only one dat play entertaining football and d most skillful player in united so please keep sentiment as side and rate base on performance
Pepedino
0
Where were those wanting the managers head for not playing Martial?? Did you see how he played when he’s was brought on?? The attitude was very bad and was irritating..he walked while Lukaku run back to his half to make tackles!! The minute was around 80 and martial has been in for 5mins or so while Lukaku had 79mins under his belt but still put in the effort! Martial is a great player, one of my favourites but he’s selfish! You can have issues with the manager but the moment he gives u a chance, u go in and show how wrong the manager is for benching...if he could put his ego aside he would be a great player everyday!!!
martial is never a lazy player maybe u watch another part of d game
Viwilmptuy
0
Meet with Liverpool and find out. Hehehe
time will tell. i can assure u that klop woukd never take points off JM in premier league nor any other competitions so let's wait and see
robjet07
0
If u watched the game, you’d know that Man U dominated fh and first part second half! Watford did nothing much apart from the last 20 mins pressure which is understandable.! It takes knowledge to defend a result and not all managers can do that!! Most of the top 6 teams would have drew or lost(Tottenham) so let’s give what’s Jesus to Jesus and what’s Caesar’s to Caesar! Knowing how to defend properly is part of the game and frankly, I’m tired of al these football aesthetes who only know about attacking football...! In fact nowadays most managers don’t know how to set up their team defensively and all they care about is to play guardiola style football! Football can be played on many ways and they’re all equally beautiful so stop denigrating Mourinho’s style of play, u can hate the man but his managing skills are top quality and second to none!!!
he meant during freekicks and corners... if he hadn't he didn't watch the match and is just looking for a hot comment
BJohnN
2
United against Watford
[image]
Yeah you’re right buddy but only when Watford were having their corner kicks..I hope you know how to defend against a corner kick at least
Yitola
2
Where were those wanting the managers head for not playing Martial?? Did you see how he played when he’s was brought on?? The attitude was very bad and was irritating..he walked while Lukaku run back to his half to make tackles!! The minute was around 80 and martial has been in for 5mins or so while Lukaku had 79mins under his belt but still put in the effort! Martial is a great player, one of my favourites but he’s selfish! You can have issues with the manager but the moment he gives u a chance, u go in and show how wrong the manager is for benching...if he could put his ego aside he would be a great player everyday!!!
Martial is a lazy player who doesn't support the team. He often wants to be distinguished and praised only. Whenever he loses the ball, he exposes the defense and puts the team in danger. He has a poor recovery and disgusting attitude. Sanchez was introduced because of Martial attitude. Sanchez covers the left-back and recovers to win any lose ball or possession. United should have exchanged long ago for Perisic. He's acting like a cancer to the team. He's a self-centered player even veteran Giggs was recovering to dispossesse the opponents. Even Mbappe does, Martial is killing his future chances with French national team because they have better disciplined and committed players than him. Pass it to him that he has to be humble and committed. This attitude is long in him. Lingard, Rashford, Lukaku show commitment to the team except him.
TanIsRed
1
He's our player for last 4-5 years only problem was he never fitted to our style of play. And you are correct he'd contributed a lot in the past when we were leading. I hope atleast we all will start loving him. Good luck Fellaini.
Indeed bro we should.. Hope he continues that way..
wekaetyz
1
United against Watford
[image]
so saddd !!! haters everywhere
Lovmanu
1
United against Watford
[image]
i think you did not watched the game
Sabbtuz
6
Where were those wanting the managers head for not playing Martial?? Did you see how he played when he’s was brought on?? The attitude was very bad and was irritating..he walked while Lukaku run back to his half to make tackles!! The minute was around 80 and martial has been in for 5mins or so while Lukaku had 79mins under his belt but still put in the effort! Martial is a great player, one of my favourites but he’s selfish! You can have issues with the manager but the moment he gives u a chance, u go in and show how wrong the manager is for benching...if he could put his ego aside he would be a great player everyday!!!
Sabbtuz
1
United against Watford
[image]
If u watched the game, you’d know that Man U dominated fh and first part second half! Watford did nothing much apart from the last 20 mins pressure which is understandable.! It takes knowledge to defend a result and not all managers can do that!! Most of the top 6 teams would have drew or lost(Tottenham) so let’s give what’s Jesus to Jesus and what’s Caesar’s to Caesar! Knowing how to defend properly is part of the game and frankly, I’m tired of al these football aesthetes who only know about attacking football...! In fact nowadays most managers don’t know how to set up their team defensively and all they care about is to play guardiola style football! Football can be played on many ways and they’re all equally beautiful so stop denigrating Mourinho’s style of play, u can hate the man but his managing skills are top quality and second to none!!!
Redevil07
1
After the brilliant display of game against Watford I would say Fellani is now a United player.. Someone will not agreed with me but there are lots of game that we have won because of him.. Let's hope that Mourn carry on with the style that they played in the 1st half against Watford.. Let's hope for the best.. Glory glory man United as the Reds go marching on [Comeon]
He's our player for last 4-5 years only problem was he never fitted to our style of play. And you are correct he'd contributed a lot in the past when we were leading. I hope atleast we all will start loving him. Good luck Fellaini.
Mel1804
6
United against Watford
radcdlno
5
I have a dream of meeting Fellaini one day I hope I don't get lost in his hair.....
Rebaciloru
0
is the hire cut your problem or to win. if you never talk ur body no go come down. Coming
[image]
u too talk too much
juwon11
2
is the hire cut your problem or to win. if you never talk ur body no go come down. Coming
TanIsRed
5
After the brilliant display of game against Watford I would say Fellani is now a United player.. Someone will not agreed with me but there are lots of game that we have won because of him.. Let's hope that Mourn carry on with the style that they played in the 1st half against Watford.. Let's hope for the best.. Glory glory man United as the Reds go marching on [Comeon]
wiybdlnor
1
Fellaini gets so much stick from Man Utd fans when in all honesty, he is actually an underrated player for United. Each time he comes on he does exactly the job asked of him. He gets goals, assists and is a real nightmare for defenders. It's not his fault that the job he is asked to do is more around being a target man which means route 1 football. He is doing what the coach has asked of him. Its equally telling that he is quite pivotal for 3 managers now (Moyes, Van Gaal & Jose)
I'm a Manu fan 100% but u saying the truth, Fellano played better for Manu more than Pogba, if Fellano lost the ball half the time as Pogba's did today he would be the worst player ever for Manu,, Pogba was a mess today, He loose the ball more than half the time he received it
AdamAguiar33
0
don't get carried away it's just Watford any top 4 team can beat them
Watford had the same points and record last season as Leicester did the season before they won the Epl. Warlord is top 4
badminton
7
He was absolutely brilliant. Been in top form even thought most fans still don't rate him.
lively
3
Fellaini gets so much stick from Man Utd fans when in all honesty, he is actually an underrated player for United. Each time he comes on he does exactly the job asked of him. He gets goals, assists and is a real nightmare for defenders. It's not his fault that the job he is asked to do is more around being a target man which means route 1 football. He is doing what the coach has asked of him. Its equally telling that he is quite pivotal for 3 managers now (Moyes, Van Gaal & Jose)
happykk
1
Not a United supporter but have always taken an interest in Fellaini mostly because of his poor start. Thought he was a mess. Man has he come on, will always remember that back flick last season. He was good for Belgium. Nice fella too from what I can gather through the press. Now if only Ozil could show the same heart.
completely
2
Agree with Jose on Smalling's haircut :)
Vezonic22
2
Mourinho and his jibes...he never gets tired of doing that. Nice game today, especially the first half.
Hapacdmstu
3
remember when fellaini was the most hated United player
jioceiptz
2
Meet with Liverpool and find out. Hehehe
jezabity
0
don't get carried away it's just Watford any top 4 team can beat them
forzacmilanspursmanu
2
smallings hair does look ridiculous on him , dam who told him it looks good .
Obafemi Joshua
5
Hazard scored an Hatrick Lukaku scored also and Fellaini is on an impressive form what are these Belgium players taking
martinsmar-ech
1
United picking form
Diobcdeioy
2
glory glory man united..
paulkessy
2
We're coming back on the track, just wait and see