Jose Mourinho selected a long chase and a sliding tackle from Romelu Lukaku as the image to epitomise the spirit of Manchester United.
It might just as easily have been the flying save from David de Gea in stoppage time to push out a header from Christian Kabasele and deny Watford a late equaliser.
Or the prowling menace of Marouane Fellaini, shielding his back-four and assisting United's two goals with his unique ability to spread chaos at set-pieces with his awkward presence and aerial strength.
Manchester United centre back Chris Smalling scores their second goal of the game against Watford in the 38th minute
Smalling celebrates doubling United's lead over Watford in the first half of the Premier League clash with his team-mates
Smalling turns away to celebrate scoring United's second goal of the match against Watford on Saturday evening
Lukaku claimed the first goal with a nudge from his hip and Chris Smalling the other, three minutes later, with a nimble twist and volley in a tight area.
Until the half-time interval, Mourinho's towering team, no doubt chosen with an eye on Watford's robust style and prowess in the air, were comfortably in control.
The contest could have been over by halfway had United been more clinical and Ben Foster not so alert.
Forward Andre Gray pulls one goal back for the hosts against United in the second half of the Premier League encounter
Watford's Gray celebrates scoring their first goal of the game in the 65th minute of the match against United on Saturday
Gray celebrates after getting his side back into the Premier League contest in the second half on Saturday evening
Inevitably, Watford improved, found a quicker tempo in midfield and the home crowd was revived when Andre Gray pulled one back and they went in search of a point.
There were near misses, and Nemanja Matic was sent off in the final seconds, collecting a second yellow card when he tripped Will Hughes.
Matic will miss Saturday's clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but United protected the lead and ease up the Premier League table with nine points from five games.
They rub shoulders again with Arsenal and Tottenham as European football buts in and last month's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs seems in the distant past.
United's Nemanja Matic was sent off for two bookable offences during stoppage time as the visitors won 2-1 at Watford
United's Romelu Lukaku (centre) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League encounter on Saturday
Lukaku beats Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster to open the scoring for United in the 35th minute of the Premier League match
Lukaku celebrates putting United ahead in the first half of the match against Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday
Lukaku is surrounded by his team-mates after breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute of the Premier League encounter
Mourinho's team have emerged with six points from testing away fixtures at Burnley and Watford.
They are far from fluent but they are fighting for each other. This includes the manager who fired up his players on the eve of the game with an attack on the 'compulsive liars' on the punditry couch.
It was a verbal offensive perhaps designed to chase away the threat of complacency in the first game after the international break.
His team selection enhanced his determination not to be bullied at Vicarage Road. United's team was huge, and got bigger as Scott McTominay and Eric Bailly came off the bench.
Fellaini patrolled the area in front of Smalling and Victor Lindelof, although was often deep enough to be mistaken for a third central defender.
Foster makes a save against United's Paul Pogba in the first half of the match which ended with United two goals to the good
United manager Jose Mourinho issues instructions on the touchline during the first half of the Premier League encounter
Advanced on either side were Matic and Paul Pogba, clocking up the midfield miles.
When Watford slanted in crosses from the full-backs, these five six-footers were in the drop zone, prepared to engage with Gray and Troy Deeney.
They were willing to perform the ugly side of the game and, in the first half at least, positive in attack with Ashley Young effective both from open play kick down the slope and with his dead-ball delivery.
Alexis Sanchez saw a strike ruled out for offside and Foster made saves before the pressure told and Lukaku found the breakthrough.
A deep free-kick was headed square across the goal by Fellaini and Watford failed to clear the danger.
Watford's Troy Deeney and Jose Holebas protest with referee Mike Dean after United's Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring
Watford's Andre Gray (left) and United's Nemanja Matic battle for the ball during the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road
Watford striker Deeney unleashes a shot as Smalling tries to block the effort during the match on Saturday evening
The ball found its way to Young on the left, and his cross was deflected, skipped up off the turf and evaded all except Lukaku who was able to make contact with his hip and divert it beyond the goalkeeper.
It was certainly scruffy, bobbling into the far post before spinning over the line, and Watford found something to argue about. Their protests were led by left-back Jose Holebas, but replays showed there was no offside offence.
The goal would stand, Lukaku’s fourth of the season, and Manchester United detected a kill.
Young’s corner was launched towards Fellaini who nodded the ball towards Smalling, who received it on his chest with Daryl Janmaat for close company, swivelled and hooked a volley past Foster with his left foot.
Deeney and United's Smalling challenge for the ball in the air during the league fixture at Vicarage Road on Saturday
Mourinho scrambled from his seat to celebrate, pumping his fist. He had preferred to stay mostly out of sight as the travelling fans sang his name but the second goal seemed significant with his team in command.
After a flying start with four wins from four games, Gracia was disappointed by Watford’s first-half display but returned with renewed purpose and urgency after the break with Abdoulaye Doucoure far more effective in midfield.
It was Doucoure who created Gray’s goal, forging through an inside-left channel and cutting a low cross into a vacant area near the penalty spot.
Gray was first to arrive and applied a firm side-footed finish which faded away out of De Gea’s reach.
Watford's Will Hughes (left) shoots towards goal during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening
Watford were inspired by memories of their comeback win against Tottenham on the last outing.
Gracia made changes as his team poured forward, taking risks at the back and generating a breathless final phase.
Kabasele and Craig Cathcart made important challenges to deny United on the break, Matic was dismissed and De Gea stood firm.
This time there was no sting in the tail.
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/15/watford-1-2-manchester-united-lukaku-and-smalling-secure-victory/
Main photo article Jose Mourinho selected a long chase and a sliding tackle from Romelu Lukaku as the image to epitomise the spirit of Manchester United.
It might just as easily have been the flying save from David de Gea in stoppage time to push out a header from Christian Kabasele and deny Watford a late...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
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