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Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 27
Feb 23, 2020 at 2pm UK
 
Watford logo

3-0

Fernandes (42' pen.), Martial (58'), Greenwood (75')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Manchester United got a good deal for Bruno Fernandes'

The Portugal international has been man of the match in all three United starts to date.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised star man Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United's January signing put in another man-of-the-match display as Watford were overcome.

Summer interest in the 25-year-old turned into an active pursuit last month, with protracted negotiations with Sporting Lisbon finally bearing fruit towards the end of the transfer window.

Fernandes arrived for an initial 55 million euros (£46.6million) and, while that could rise to 80 million euros (£67.7million) if a variety of targets are reached, United look to have struck a good deal.

The Portugal international has been man of the match in all three United starts to date, having followed up fine displays against Wolves and Chelsea with a goal and an assist as Watford were beaten 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.

"In today's market I think we got a good deal," Solskjaer said of Fernandes. "Obviously he's come in and done really well.

"He's given everyone a boost. It means more than just getting a player in. You can see the supporters, they're used to players with that personality, mentality and quality so he's been a big plus.

"He's come in from day one, the first minute, and felt like a presence in the group. First training session, demanding the ball.

"Some players take some time in warming up but he felt confident straight away.

"He's a bit of a mix between (Paul) Scholes and (Juan Sebastian) Veron, to be fair.

"He's got the temperament maybe of Veron and a lot of the quality of him and Scholesy."

Solskjaer says Fernandes is a "big piece" in the team that United are looking to build, while Anthony Martial has shown this week that he too can be a key component.

Monday's header at Chelsea was followed by a fine goal at Club Brugge in the Europa League and a clever clipped finish past Ben Foster on Sunday.

"I am delighted with the week Anthony's had," Solskjaer said. "He has got his critics and I am one of his biggest probably because I keep demanding different stuff from him.

"But this week he's come up with a number nine, centre-forward's goal, a header against Chelsea.

"He did everything to get the goal against Brugge – defending, winning the ball, running through.

"This today is more than the Anthony we know about. The skill because that is just mind-blowing, sometimes the skill that he shows. But I want more from him and I'll keep at him."

It was a far better performance from United than the one at Vicarage Road two months ago, when Solskjaer's side fell to a 2-0 loss as Nigel Pearson started life at the helm with a bang.

Watford were far from that standard on Sunday, although they saw a Troy Deeney equaliser ruled out as Craig Dawson was adjudged by the video assistant referee to have handled.

"It's a frustrating day in the sense that, when you play the bigger clubs, it's very important that when you create chances or have opportunities, you do everything you can to take them," the head coach said.

"We didn't take the chances we had early in the game. I think our attempts to press them high up the pitch caused them a few problems in terms of frustrating them at times."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


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